Sunday 29 January 2012

Root / Book / True

Reading: HON, moto

Strokes: 5

Etymology: An old form of this character shows the base horizontal stroke as tree roots.  Many meanings have evolved from this, usually pertaining to essence/origin.  This character is also used for counting cylindrical items.


Mnemonic: TREE WITH ONE CENTRAL ROOT


Combinations:

日本 (nihon/nippon) Japan
本屋 (honya) bookstore
本店 (honten) head office / this store

(Based upon Henshall, 1998)

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