本事
běnshì · HSK 3
know-how
📖 本 (root/book) + 事 (matter) = root matter → source material, know-how
本 originally meant the root of a tree (hence 'origin, book'), and 事 means 'affair, matter'. Together: the underlying matter — either the original literary source, or the skill/know-how someone has at their core.
本 — tree 木 + mark at base
本 is a pictograph of a tree (木) with a stroke at its base, marking the roots. From this 'root' meaning it extended to 'origin,' 'source,' and 'foundation.' In modern usage it also serves as a measure word for bound objects like books.
事 — hand 又 holding a banner/tablet on a pole
Originally a pictograph of a hand (又) grasping a pole or ceremonial banner used by an official, depicting the act of conducting court business. From this it came to mean 'affair, matter, business, service.' It shares an ancient origin with 史 (scribe) and 吏 (official).