Meaning
book; volume; publication
Nuance & Usage
本 means "book" as a noun, but it is also a common counter for long, thin objects (本 — ほん/ぽん/ぼん): 一本 (ippon — one long, thin object), used for bottles, pens, trees, rivers, etc. Context usually makes the meaning clear. Compound words: 本屋 (hon'ya — bookstore), 本棚 (hondana — bookshelf), 絵本 (ehon — picture book), 教科書 (kyoukasho — textbook).
Common Mistakes
Don't confuse 本 as a noun (book) with 本 as a counter. When you see 三本 in context, it might mean three books OR three long thin things — check the sentence. Also note: 本を読む is "read a book" (読む = to read), not 本を見る (見る = to look at, not appropriate for reading text).
Example Sentences
この本はとても面白いです。
このほんはとてもおもしろいです。
This book is very interesting.
図書館でこの本を借りました。
としょかんでこのほんをかりました。
I borrowed this book from the library.
寝る前に本を読むのが習慣です。
ねるまえにほんをよむのがしゅうかんです。
It's my habit to read a book before bed.
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