Word details

元

Meanings, readings, and example sentences for the Japanese word 元.

Dictionary

Entry

元本素基もとFreq #377

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.

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.

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.

Common noun; Esp. 素

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

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.

元 only; Common noun

capital; principal; cost price

Common noun

root (of a plant); (tree) trunk

Common noun

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

Common noun

first three lines of a waka

本 only; Counter

counter for plants or trees

本 only; Counter

counter for falcons (in falconry)

Character notes

Kanji in this Word

元

beginning, former time, origin

4 strokesFrequency 192JLPT N3Grade 2

ゲンガン

Kun

もと

Nanori

ちかはじめはるゆきよし

本

book, present, main, origin, true, real, counter for long cylindrical things

5 strokesFrequency 10JLPT N4Grade 1

ホン

Kun

もと

Nanori

まとごう

素

elementary, principle, naked, uncovered

10 strokesFrequency 660JLPT N1Grade 5

ソス

Kun

もと

基

fundamentals, radical (chem), counter for machines, foundation

11 strokesFrequency 241JLPT N2Grade 5

キ

Kun

もともとい

Nanori

きいとも

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