〜本

N5

〜本

-hon

〜本 (long objects counter)

N5

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Explanation

〜本 (ほん) is the counter for long, thin objects such as bottles, pencils, and umbrellas. The pronunciation changes depending on the number. Key points: • 1本 = いっぽん • 2本 = にほん • 3本 = さんぼん • 4本 = よんほん • 5本 = ごほん • 6本 = ろっぽん • 7本 = ななほん • 8本 = はっぽん • 9本 = きゅうほん • 10本 = じゅっぽん Example: “ペンを三本買いました” means “I bought three pens.” Remember the sound changes (hon → bon/pon) for certain numbers. Practice by counting pens, bottles, or chopsticks with 本.

Structure

Pattern
Number + 本
NumberCount of long objects
Examples: いっ, さん, ろっ, はっ
Long object counter
Examples:

Examples

Example 1
ペンを一本ください。
Pen o ippon kudasai.
Please give me one pen.
Breakdown
ペンpen
object marker
一本one (long object)
くださいplease give
Note: One long object
Example 2
水を二本買います。
Mizu o nihon kaimasu.
I will buy two bottles of water.
Breakdown
water
object marker
二本two (long objects)
買いますbuy
Note: Bottles
Example 3
傘が三本あります。
Kasa ga sanbon arimasu.
There are three umbrellas.
Breakdown
umbrella
subject marker
三本three (long objects)
ありますexist
Note: Counting umbrellas
Example 4
えんぴつを六本使います。
Enpitsu o roppon tsukaimasu.
I use six pencils.
Breakdown
えんぴつpencil
object marker
六本six (long objects)
使いますuse
Note: Sound change

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