Explanation at your level:
The 본문 is the main part of a book. It is the story you read. It is not the title. It is not the pictures. It is the words you read to learn.
When you read a newspaper, the 본문 is the big part of the article. It gives you all the information. You can find it under the headline.
In formal writing, the 본문 is the body of the text. It is where the author presents their arguments or tells the story. It is distinct from the introduction or the conclusion.
The term 본문 is essential for academic writing. It refers to the core content. Writers often use it to contrast with 'supplementary materials' like footnotes or appendices.
In literary analysis, the 본문 represents the primary text under scrutiny. Scholars often distinguish between the 본문 and the paratext, which includes titles, prefaces, and blurbs.
The concept of the 본문 is foundational to textual criticism. It refers to the established, authoritative version of a work. Understanding the 본문 requires analyzing the author's intent versus editorial additions.
Word in 30 Seconds
- 본문 is the main body of text.
- It excludes titles and notes.
- It is common in academic settings.
- It comes from Sino-Korean roots.
When you pick up a book, you see the cover, the title, and maybe an introduction. But the 본문 is the heart of the matter! It is the actual text that tells the story or explains the topic.
Think of it as the 'meat' of the sandwich. Everything else is just the packaging. Whether it is a textbook, a news article, or a novel, the 본문 is where the real work happens.
The word 본문 comes from Sino-Korean roots. 본 (本) means 'root' or 'origin,' and 문 (文) means 'writing' or 'text.'
Historically, this term was used in classic literature to distinguish the main script from commentary written in smaller characters around the margins. It has evolved into a standard term for the primary body of any written work across East Asian languages.
You will hear this word in academic and professional settings constantly. Teachers might say, 'Please read the 본문 carefully,' meaning ignore the pictures and focus on the text.
It is very common to pair it with verbs like 읽다 (read) or 확인하다 (check). It is a neutral, formal term that fits perfectly in any professional document or classroom environment.
While not an idiom itself, it is used in set phrases:
- 본문에 충실하다: To stick to the main text.
- 본문을 벗어나다: To go off-topic.
- 본문을 발췌하다: To extract a passage.
- 본문 이해: Reading comprehension.
- 본문 검색: Full-text search (digital context).
As a noun, 본문 is used as a direct object or subject. Pronounced as 'bon-mun,' it has a clear, two-syllable structure. The stress is usually even, reflecting its Sino-Korean origin.
It does not have a plural form in Korean, as plurality is context-dependent. It rhymes with words like 전문 (specialty) and 주문 (order).
Fun Fact
It reflects the traditional structure of scrolls where the main text was central.
Pronunciation Guide
Sounds like 'bon-moon'.
Sounds like 'bon-moon'.
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing the 'n' sounds.
- Adding extra vowels.
- Incorrect pitch.
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Very easy to read.
Standard usage.
Commonly used.
Clear pronunciation.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Noun usage
본문입니다.
Object particles
본문을 읽다.
Sino-Korean roots
본 + 문
Examples by Level
본문을 읽으세요.
Read the main text.
Imperative form.
본문 내용이 어렵습니다.
본문을 확인해 주세요.
본문에는 사진이 없습니다.
본문을 먼저 읽으세요.
본문이 어디인가요?
본문은 길어요.
본문을 다 읽었어요.
본문만 읽으세요.
본문과 참고문헌을 구분하세요.
본문의 핵심을 파악해야 합니다.
본문 내용이 조금 수정되었습니다.
본문은 3페이지부터 시작됩니다.
본문을 요약해 보세요.
본문에서 답을 찾을 수 있습니다.
본문 전체를 검토했습니다.
본문이 논리적으로 구성되어 있습니다.
본문과 각주를 대조해 보십시오.
본문의 문맥을 고려해야 합니다.
본문에서 발췌한 내용입니다.
본문은 저자의 주장을 담고 있습니다.
본문 수정이 필요합니다.
본문과 부록을 분리하십시오.
본문 검색 기능을 사용하세요.
본문이 너무 길어서 줄였습니다.
본문의 텍스트 비평이 진행 중입니다.
본문과 주석의 관계를 분석하세요.
본문은 시대적 배경을 반영합니다.
본문의 서술 방식이 독특합니다.
본문 안의 모순을 찾아내십시오.
본문이 편집 과정에서 변경되었습니다.
본문은 원본과 일치합니다.
본문의 행간을 읽어야 합니다.
본문의 판본을 비교하여 연구합니다.
본문은 작가의 사상을 대변합니다.
본문과 보충 자료의 경계가 모호합니다.
본문은 엄격한 검토를 거쳤습니다.
본문의 정본 확립이 중요합니다.
본문은 역사적 가치를 지닙니다.
본문은 문학적 장치로 가득합니다.
본문은 원전의 의미를 보존합니다.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"본문에 충실하다"
To be faithful to the text
해석은 본문에 충실해야 합니다.
formal"본문을 벗어나다"
To go off-topic
논의가 본문을 벗어났습니다.
formal"본문을 꿰뚫다"
To grasp the essence
그는 본문을 꿰뚫고 있습니다.
literary"본문을 훑어보다"
To skim the text
본문을 훑어보고 시작하세요.
neutral"본문을 인용하다"
To quote the text
본문을 인용하여 설명하세요.
formal"본문을 대조하다"
To compare texts
두 본문을 대조해 봅시다.
formalEasily Confused
Both start with 본
본론 is argument, 본문 is text
본론을 쓰세요.
Both are Sino-Korean
전문 is specialty
전문 분야입니다.
Rhyme
주문 is an order
주문하세요.
Rhyme
소문 is a rumor
소문이 났어요.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + 본문을 + Verb
학생이 본문을 읽습니다.
본문에는 + Noun + 이/가 + 있다
본문에는 정보가 있습니다.
본문에서 + Verb
본문에서 찾으세요.
본문과 + Noun + 을/를 + 대조하다
본문과 주석을 대조하세요.
본문이 + Adjective
본문이 길어요.
Word Family
Nouns
Related
How to Use It
8
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
The title is separate from the body text.
본론 is the main argument in an essay; 본문 is the text itself.
Korean nouns don't change for plural.
본문 is a part of the book, not the whole.
Ensure it's not confused with '전문' (specialty).
Tips
Root Thinking
Think of 本 as the root of the tree.
Academic Context
Always use it in essays.
Structure
Respect the text structure.
No Plural
Don't add '들'.
Clear N's
Say it clearly.
Titles
Don't call titles 본문.
History
Sino-Korean roots.
Highlighting
Highlight the 본문.
Reading
Read the main body first.
Writing
Focus on your 본문.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
BON (root) + MUN (writing).
Visual Association
Imagine a book where the middle pages are glowing.
Word Web
Challenge
Find a newspaper and point to the 본문.
Word Origin
Sino-Korean
Original meaning: Root (本) + Writing (文)
Cultural Context
None.
Directly maps to 'body text' or 'main body'.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At school
- 본문을 읽으세요
- 본문을 요약하세요
- 본문에서 찾으세요
At work
- 본문을 수정하세요
- 본문을 확인하세요
- 본문 내용을 공유하세요
Reading a book
- 본문으로 들어가다
- 본문이 시작되다
- 본문을 건너뛰다
Web browsing
- 본문 검색
- 본문 보기
- 본문 복사
Conversation Starters
"오늘 읽은 본문 내용이 어때요?"
"본문에서 가장 중요한 부분이 무엇인가요?"
"본문을 요약하는 것이 어렵나요?"
"본문과 부록 중 무엇을 먼저 읽으세요?"
"본문의 뜻을 다시 설명해 줄 수 있나요?"
Journal Prompts
Write about why the 본문 is important in a book.
Describe a time you misunderstood the 본문.
Compare the 본문 of your favorite book to its movie.
How do you usually approach reading a long 본문?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsNo, 본론 is an argument, 본문 is the text.
Yes, it's common for web content.
No, Korean nouns are neutral.
Usually after the intro.
It is standard neutral.
Usually, it refers to the text.
Yes, in school/work.
No, Sino-Korean.
Test Yourself
책의 핵심은 ___입니다.
본문 is the main part.
What is '본문'?
It means main text.
본문 includes the title.
Titles are separate.
Word
Meaning
Matching terms.
Correct structure.
Score: /5
Summary
The 본문 is the core of any writing, where the main information lives.
- 본문 is the main body of text.
- It excludes titles and notes.
- It is common in academic settings.
- It comes from Sino-Korean roots.
Root Thinking
Think of 本 as the root of the tree.
Academic Context
Always use it in essays.
Structure
Respect the text structure.
No Plural
Don't add '들'.
Related Content
More academic words
입체적
B2Having a three-dimensional effect or examining something from multiple perspectives rather than a single flat view. It implies a comprehensive and detailed analysis.
~에 관해
B1About, concerning.
~에 대하여
A2Concerning or regarding a particular subject; about.
~대해
A2About; concerning; regarding.
~에 관하여
A2Regarding, concerning, about (a topic).
~에 대해(서)
A1Indicates the topic or subject of discussion, meaning 'about' or 'regarding'.
무엇보다
A2More than anything else; above all.
결석생
A2A student who is absent from class.
추상화하다
B2To consider something theoretically or separately from its physical reality. It involves extracting general principles from specific examples.
추상
A2Abstraction; the quality of dealing with ideas rather than events.
