元

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

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)

Kanji in this Word

元

4 strokes

Frequency: 192

JLPT N3

Grade 2

Meanings

beginning

former time

origin

Readings

On — Chinese-derived reading, usually for compounds

ゲン

ガン

Kun — Native Japanese reading, usually for standalone words

もと

Nanori — Specialized readings used in names

ちか

はじめ

はる

ゆき

よし

本

5 strokes

Frequency: 10

JLPT N4

Grade 1

Meanings

book

present

main

origin

true

real

counter for long cylindrical things

Readings

On — Chinese-derived reading, usually for compounds

ホン

Kun — Native Japanese reading, usually for standalone words

もと

Nanori — Specialized readings used in names

まと

ごう

素

10 strokes

Frequency: 660

JLPT N1

Grade 5

Meanings

elementary

principle

naked

uncovered

Readings

On — Chinese-derived reading, usually for compounds

ソ

ス

Kun — Native Japanese reading, usually for standalone words

もと

基

11 strokes

Frequency: 241

JLPT N2

Grade 5

Meanings

fundamentals

radical (chem)

counter for machines

foundation

Readings

On — Chinese-derived reading, usually for compounds

キ

Kun — Native Japanese reading, usually for standalone words

もと

もとい

Nanori — Specialized readings used in names

きい

とも

因

6 strokes

Frequency: 636

JLPT N2

Grade 5

Meanings

cause

factor

be associated with

depend on

be limited to

Readings

On — Chinese-derived reading, usually for compounds

イン

Kun — Native Japanese reading, usually for standalone words

よ.る

ちな.む

Nanori — Specialized readings used in names

て

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元

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

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