How to say "basics" in Japanese

• 基本きほんJLPT N3approx.Common
  no-adjectiveThe basics as fundamentals or foundation: the essential principles and core points that a skill, activity, or field rests on. Use it when 'basics' means the underlying groundwork rather than a beginner's first lessons.
  「これは・・・」「軍手ぐんてとスコップ。園芸えんげい部ぶ基本きほん道具どうぐのひとつだよ」↗

  "This is ..." "Working glove and trowel. One of a gardening club's basic tools."
• 初歩しょほCommon
  no-adjectiveThe basics as rudiments or ABCs: the very first, most elementary things one learns when taking up a subject. Fits beginner-level talk, such as the basics of a language or field at the entry stage.

Use 基本 when 'basics' means the fundamentals or foundation of something, and 初歩 when it means the rudiments or ABCs — the very first, most elementary things a beginner learns when starting a subject.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 基本きほんbasics
• 初歩しょほbasics
• ＡＢＣエー・ビー・シーthe ABCs (of)