本文
ほんぶん · honbun · JLPT N1 · noun
text
📄 本 (book/root) + 文 (text/writing) = the writing of a book: its body text
本 means 'origin, base' and 文 means 'writing'. Together they name the main body of a document, as opposed to its title or attachments. Sounds like 'hon bun', like a book's bun (bun = bread roll) with a hon-hon page turn.
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.
文 — pictograph of crossed lines on a chest
文 originally depicted a person with patterns or tattoos drawn on the chest, shown as crossed or interwoven lines. From this image of decorative markings, it came to mean 'pattern,' then 'writing,' 'script,' and 'literature' or 'culture.' The modern senses all trace back to the idea of meaningful marks.