Jisho

Hi! どうぞよろすくお願いします!

I believe the difference here resides in the on-yomi and kun-yomi reading of the word. the on-yomi is a pronunciation derived from Chinese (where kanji originated) while kun-yomi is the Japanese pronunciation of a kanji.

Here, ほん is the on-yomi and もと is the kun-yomi.

Generally, when a kanji is used by its own, we use the kun-yomi reading. Whereas when the kanji is coupled to anoher kanji we use the kun-yomi reading. But for 本 it does not apply necessarily. Indeed, when we use ほん by its own, it means the book.

While in any other case, it means the source.
- When we use ほん with another kanji (for example 日本) it refers to the source.
- When we use もと by its own it also refers to the source

I don't know if it makes sense, but I hope it helps!

Hi! どうぞよろすくお願いします!

I believe the difference here resides in the on-yomi and kun-yomi reading of the word. the on-yomi is a pronunciation derived from Chinese (where kanji originated) while kun-yomi is the Japanese pronunciation of a kanji.

Here, ほん is the on-yomi and もと is the kun-yomi.

Generally, when a kanji is used by its own, we use the kun-yomi reading. Whereas when the kanji is coupled to anoher kanji we use the kun-yomi reading. But for 本 it does not apply necessarily. Indeed, when we use ほん by its own, it means the book.

While in any other case, it means the source.
- When we use ほん with another kanji (for example 日本) it refers to the source.
- When we use もと by its own it also refers to the source

I don't know if it makes sense, but I hope it helps!