Both 册 (cè) and 本 (běn) are measure words in Chinese used for counting books or volumes, but they are used in slightly different contexts and carry different connotations.
Related lessons: Chinese Measure Words Collection
册 (cè)
册 is typically used when referring to a volume that is part of a series or a collection of books. It often implies that the book is one of several volumes within a larger work. And it is often used in more formal contexts, especially in academic or historical settings, where books are divided into multiple volumes.
e.g.
这套书有三册。(Zhè tào shū yǒu sān cè.) This set of books has three volumes.
他买了一册古籍。(Tā mǎi le yī cè gǔjí.) He bought a volume of ancient books.
这部小说分为上中下三册，你先买上册看看吧。(Zhè bù xiǎoshuō fēn wéi shàng zhōng xià sān cè, nǐ xiān mǎi shàng cè kànkan ba.) This novel is divided into three volumes: the first, middle, and last. Why don’t you buy the first volume and take a look?
本 (běn)
本 is the more commonly used measure word for books in general. It can be used for any type of book, whether it is part of a series or a standalone work. It is a very versatile and widely used measure word that is appropriate in most situations when referring to books.
e.g.
我买了一本书。(Wǒ mǎi le yī běn shū.) I bought a book.
这本小说很好看。(Zhè běn xiǎoshuō hěn hǎokàn.) This novel is very interesting.
因为下大雨，我包里的很多本书都湿了。(Yīnwèi xià dàyǔ, wǒ bāo lǐ de hěn duō běn shū dōu shī le.) Because of the heavy rain, many of the books in my bag got wet.
Exercise
