Chinese word

正本

Pronunciation

Pinyinzhèng běn

Meaning

  • nounoriginal

Example

请保管好文件的正本。qǐng báo guǎn hǎo wén jiàn de zhèng běn

Please keep the original document safe.

Illustration for 正本 (original)

More examples

取件时请携带正本以便核对。qǔ jiàn shí qǐng xié dài zhèng běn yǐ biàn hé duì

When collecting the item, please bring the original so it can be checked.

Core concept

The one source document from which trustworthy copies are made or against which they are checked.

Common phrases

  • 携带正本xié dài zhèng běn

    carry the original

  • 核对正本hé duì zhèng běn

    verify against the original

Similar words

原件yuán jiàn: The original document kept in the condition in which it was created.
副本fù běn: A copied document made for keeping or submitting.
复印件fù yìn jiàn: A document copy produced by a copier or printer.
电子版diàn zi bǎn: A document stored or submitted in digital form.

Definition in Chinese

指能作为证明或凭证的原始文件或原件，通常与复印件、影印件或副本相对。zhǐ néng zuò wéi zhèng míng huò píng zhèng de yuán shǐ wén jiàn huò yuán jiàn tōng cháng yǔ fù yìn jiàn yǐng yìn jiàn huò fù běn xiāng duì

Word origin

正本 (zhèngběn, "original") joins 正 (zhèng, "official") to 本 (běn, "original source"), making the document's authority part of the word's meaning.

Usage tips

  • English speakers often use "original" for artwork, ideas, or the first version of something, but Chinese official paperwork uses this noun for documents such as contracts and certificates.

Other meanings

  • master copynoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word