What "Kore wa hon desu ka?" Means
* Kore: This
* Wa: Topic marker
* Hon: Book
* Desu: Is (polite form)
* Ka: Question particle (means "is it?")
So, the phrase translates to "Is this a book?"
If "Kore wa hon desu ka?" is not true:
This means the object being pointed to is *not* a book. Here are some possibilities:
* It's a different object: It could be a magazine, a box, a piece of paper, or anything else.
* It's not an object at all: Maybe it's a sound, a feeling, or an abstract concept.
* The speaker is being deceptive: Perhaps the speaker knows it's not a book but is intentionally misleading.
Beyond the Literal Meaning
The question "Kore wa hon desu ka?" can also be used metaphorically. For example, it might be used to:
* Question assumptions: "Is this really what we think it is?"
* Challenge a belief: "Is this really the truth?"
* Engage in a philosophical debate: "What constitutes a book?"
So, to answer your question:
If "Kore wa hon desu ka?" is not true, then the object in question is not a book. But the meaning can go far beyond the literal, opening up possibilities for deeper analysis and discussion.