Japanese word

手本

Pronunciation

Romajitehon

Meaning

  • nounmodel

Example

兄は私の手本です。ani wa watashi no te hon de su

My older brother is my role model.

Illustration for 手本 (model)

More examples

先生の行動を手本にして、丁寧な話し方を身につけます。sen sei no kō dō o te hon ni shi te tei nei na hana shi kata o mi ni tsu ke ma su

I use my teacher's actions as a model and learn to speak politely.

Core concept

It presents a person or thing as a standard that others can follow and imitate.

Common phrases

  • 手本を見せるte hon o mi se ru

    set an example

  • 手本を示すte hon o shime su

    set an example

  • 手本にするte hon ni su ru

    use as a model

  • 手本に倣うte hon ni nara u

    follow a model

Similar words

模範mohan: A person or thing recognized as an ideal standard for others to follow.
見本mihon: A person or thing that demonstrates a form, quality, or method for others to copy.
鑑kan: A person whose conduct serves as a worthy example for others.

Definition in Japanese

見習うべき人や物事のあり方を示すもの。mi nara u be ki hito ya mono goto no a ri kata o shime su mo no

Word origin

The Japanese compound combines 手 (te, "hand") and 本 (hon, "basis") to denote a standard held up for imitation.

Usage tips

  • In Japanese, 手本 (tehon) often describes a person's conduct, so model here means an example to follow rather than a scale model.

Other meanings

  • examplenoun

Opposites

  • 反面教師hanmenkyōshibad examplenoun

Word lists with this word