見本
みほん · mihon · JLPT N2 · noun
sample
🧪 見 = see + 本 = origin: a sample is the original you look at before making copies
見 means see or look, and 本 means origin, base, or book. A sample is the model you look over to judge or copy.
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.