一本
yì běn
one (for books)
本 is the measure word for books, notebooks, magazines, and bound printed materials.
Example sentences
我买了一本中文书。
Wǒ mǎi le yì běn Zhōngwén shū.
I bought a Chinese book.
这本字典很好用。
Zhè běn zìdiǎn hěn hǎo yòng.
This dictionary is very useful.
How to use 一本 in practice
一本 is a measure words item that is easiest to learn inside a complete sentence. Read it with the pinyin yì běn, then connect it to the meaning “one (for books)” before trying to use it from memory. The examples on this page show the phrase in context: 我买了一本中文书。 / 这本字典很好用。.
When you practice 一本, do not stop at recognition. Say one example aloud, swap in a new person, place, object, or time word, and then use the phrase in a short answer. This turns a glossary entry into real Mandarin output and exposes word-order or pronunciation mistakes quickly.
Common learner mistake
A common learner mistake is to memorize 一本 only as “one (for books)” and then translate word by word from English. Instead, learn the whole chunk with the words around it. Notice which nouns, verbs, measure words, or polite markers appear before and after the phrase, and copy that pattern in your own sentence.
Mini practice prompt
Practice prompt: open Chinese measure words, start a short conversation, and use 一本 naturally in your first or second reply. If the sentence feels awkward, compare it with the examples above and try again with a smaller sentence.
Memory tip: review 一本 tomorrow by covering the English meaning, reading only yì běn, and producing a sentence before checking the examples. Active recall helps this word survive beyond one reading session.
Practice related pages
FAQ
What else uses 本 as a measure word?
Common examples: 一本小说 (novel), 一本笔记本 (notebook), 一本护照 (passport).
How can I remember 一本 faster?
Say 一本 inside a full sentence, change one detail, and repeat it in a realistic prompt. The combination of sound, meaning, and context is stronger than memorizing the translation alone.
Can I use 一本 in conversation practice?
Yes. Start with the example sentence, then use 一本 in a short AI conversation so you can see whether the surrounding word order and tone feel natural.
Published by AI Chinese Coach