本館 Main Building

Meaning

Primary

Main Building

Alternative

This Building

Word Type

noun

Explanation

One of the meanings of 本 is main (which is what we're using here). The main public building is the main building.

Sometimes 本館 can also mean this building, as in the one you're in. I guess whatever building you're in sort of becomes the main one to you, right?

Reading

ほんかん

Explanation

This is a jukugo word, which usually means on'yomi readings from the kanji. If you know the readings of your kanji you'll know how to read this as well.

For you advanced learners out there, you might want to know that saying that this word like Kyoko gets you the main building meaning, while saying it like Kenichi gets you the this building meaning! Isn't pitch accent fun? But you'll probably never have to worry about this — context clues will be enough to tell you which meaning is being used.

Context

Common Word Combinations

• 本館〜

  本館地下

  basement of the main building

  本館入り口

  entrance of the main building

  本館二階

  second floor of the main building

• 本館を〜

  本館を見る

  to look at the main building

  本館を出る

  to exit the main building

  本館をぬける

  to pass through the main building

Context Sentences

あれ、本館にはどうやって行けばいいんだっけ？

Oh, I forget, how do I get to the main building?

じゃあ、本館の入り口に九時で！

Then, let's meet at the main entrance at nine o'clock!

トイレは本館の１Fにあります。

Restrooms are located on the first floor of the main building.

Kanji Composition

1. 本

   ほん Book
2. 館

   かん Public Building