Seems that many audience like this series...:D
1. 本 [bĕn]
In English: origin, according to, the unit for books and/or book like objects.
Word origin: the original form of 本 is 木 , a pictographic form of a tree. By adding one horizontal line near the bottom of the vertical stroke, this character refers to the root of a tree. Therefore the word normally indicates the origin of a matter or things to be followed accordingly. 本 is also closely associated with books, since books are made of woods. When the word functions as a noun, it is normally used with books, as the unit of books, or as the origin of things and/or matters. When using as a verb, this word indicates that which is followed accordingly.
2. 本事 [bĕn shì]
In English: ability, what one can do, *synopsis of a film (in older days)
Word origin: 事 Shì refers to "matter", combining with 本, the term本事 (as a noun) indicates "of which the matter is originated", and the meaning is extended in referring to the ability of a person possess, or what a person can do.
3. 本來 [bĕn laí]
In English: originally, what is/was to be
Word origin: 來 Laí means "come", "come here". 本來is used as an adverb term to refer to what a matter should be.
4. 书本[shū bĕn]
In English: (a) book
Word origin: 书by itself means "book". By adding 本，the noun 书本 also refers to book. Note that many Chinese terms tend to combine the object and its unit in one to indicate what unit should be used in calculating the object. 书本 is a good example of such a sophisticated implication. One book is expressed as 一本书 [yì bĕn shū].
I love these posts. :)
ReplyDeleteReally does make things and the Chinese logic so much clearer.
Charlie: thank you :)
ReplyDeleteI think Chinese origins is so interesting, and I hope this is helpful for beginning learners.
I linked to your post in today's Daily Proverb.
ReplyDeleteThanks for these posts I find them really useful.
Charlie
Thank you Charlie. I like your posts too and look forward to read more posts about Chinese songs and singers:)
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