元
元

beginning, former time, origin

4 strokesFrequency 192JLPT N3Grade 2

On

ゲンガン

Kun

もと

Nanori

ちかはじめはるゆきよし

Memory

Memory Mnemonics

Keywords

beginning

Constituents

儿human legs
二two

Mnemonic Stories

Two pairs of human legs: In the beginning, God made Adam and Eve.

Dictionary

Common Words

元本素基もとFreq #377
1

Common noun; Esp. 元

origin; source; beginning

Examples
憲政の危機が始まったのは、このような状況のもとであった。
It was under these circumstances that the constitutional crisis began.
やってしまったことは元に戻らない。
What is done cannot be undone.
2

Common noun; Oft. 基

basis; base; foundation; root

Examples
私たちは人をその人の人格を基に判断しようと考えるかもしれないが、それらは一見したところでははっきりわからないものである。
Although we may intend to judge a person on the basis of his or her personal qualities, they are not visible at first sight.
このシステムのもとでは、生徒は交替で教えあい、お互いに助け合わなければなりません。
The basis of this system is that the students must take turns in teaching, they have to help each other.
3

Common noun; Also written as 因, 原

cause

Examples
その事務員は過労がもとで死んだ。
The clerk died from overwork.
4

Common noun; Esp. 素

(raw) material; ingredient; base; mix (e.g. for a cake); (soup) stock

5

元 only; Common noun

(one's) side

Examples
彼はなぜ妻が彼のもとを去ったのかわからなかった。
He had no idea why his wife left him.
6

元 only; Common noun

capital; principal; cost price

7

Common noun

root (of a plant); (tree) trunk

8

Common noun

part (of a brush, chopsticks, etc.) one holds (with the hand)

9

Common noun

first three lines of a waka

10

本 only; Counter

counter for plants or trees

11

本 only; Counter

counter for falcons (in falconry)

元旧故もとFreq #377
1

Nouns which may take the genitive case particle 'no'; Noun, used as a prefix

former; ex-; past; one-time

Examples
うちのかみさんは元プロレスラーで、だからもし私が浮気をしているところを見つかりでもしようものなら、それこそコテンパンにやられてしまうよ。
My wife used to be a pro-wrestler, so if she ever catches me two-timing her, I'd be beaten to a pulp.
2

Common noun; Nouns which may take the genitive case particle 'no'

earlier times; the past; previous state

3

Common noun; Adverb (fukushi)

formerly; previously; originally; before

元気げんきNoun～な Adj.Freq #400
1

lively; full of spirit; energetic; vigorous; vital; spirited

Examples
こんにちは、ロジャー。とっても元気よ。
Hi, Roger. I'm pretty good!
2

healthy; well; fit; in good health

もともと元々元元本本本々Usually kanaFreq #1886
1

Adverb (fukushi); Nouns which may take the genitive case particle 'no'

originally; from the start; from the beginning; from the outset; by nature

Examples
彼らは元々あった文明を破壊した。
They destroyed the native civilization.
2

Adjectival nouns or quasi-adjectives (keiyodoshi); Common noun; Usu. as 〜て(も)もともと, 〜でもともと, etc.

none the worse (for); (coming out) even; in the same position (as before)

足元足下あしもと足許Freq #2193
1

Common noun; Nouns which may take the genitive case particle 'no'

at one's feet; underfoot; one's step (as in "watch your step")

Examples
飲み過ぎて、なんか足元がフラフラする。
I drank too much and the ground seemed to spin under my feet.
2

Common noun

gait; pace; step

3

Nouns which may take the genitive case particle 'no'

most recent; current

地元じもとFreq #2968
1

Common noun

home area; home town

Examples
これらの商品の中には、地元では手に入らないものもあるかもしれない。
These goods may not be available locally.
2

Nouns which may take the genitive case particle 'no'

local

Examples
その婦人の葬式は地元の教会で行われた。
The lady's funeral was held at the local church.
口元口もと口許くちもとNounFreq #3070
1

mouth; lips

Examples
その女の子は小さな愛らしい口元をしている。
The girl has a sweet, small mouth.
2

shape of the mouth

3

near an entrance; vicinity of an entrance

手元手許手もとてもとFreq #3343
1

Adverb (fukushi)

at hand; on hand; nearby; close at hand

Examples
私はいつも辞典を３冊手元に置いています。
I always keep three dictionaries at hand.
2

Common noun

way of moving one's arms; skill

3

Common noun

money at hand; pocket money

4

Common noun

grip; handle

胸元胸もとむなもと胸許NounFreq #3512
1

breast; chest

2

pit of the stomach; solar plexus; epigastrium

耳元みみもと耳許NounFreq #3625
1

Usu. 耳元で

close to the ear

Examples
彼は私の耳元でその答えを囁いた。
He whispered the answer in my ear.
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