元・本・素・基|もとmoto[2]odaka (tail-high)
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Which spelling to use
元元 is the most common written form among these variants. It is the form learners are most likely to encounter when this sense is written with kanji.
本本 is less common than 元 but more common than 素, 基, and 因. For beginners, it is the recommended default written form.
素素 is less common than 元 and 本, but more common than 基 and 因. It is a possible written variant, though not the first choice for beginners.
基基 is less common than 元, 本, and 素, but more common than 因. It is a less common written variant of the same entry.
Definitions
- nounorigin; source; beginningesp. 元やってしまったことは元に戻らない。↗What is done cannot be undone.
- nounbasis; base; foundation; rootoft. 基Although we may intend to judge a person on the basis of his or her personal qualities, they are not visible at first sight.
- nouncausealso written as 因, 原
- noun(raw) material; ingredient; base; mix (e.g. for a cake); (soup) stockesp. 素
- noun(one's) side
- nouncapital; principal; cost price
- nounroot (of a plant); (tree) trunk
- nounpart (of a brush, chopsticks, etc.) one holds (with the hand)
- nounfirst three lines of a waka
- countercounter for plants or trees
- countercounter for falcons (in falconry)
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym根源こんげんWrittenRefers to the most fundamental source of something, as in 「諸悪の根源」. More written than 「元」, and mostly for the root of abstract problems.
- Synonym出所しゅっしょNeutralSame word as above: 「出所」 is only another way of writing 「出どころ」, with an identical meaning.
- Synonym材料ざいりょうNeutralRaw material for making things or cooking, and also grounds for judgement. When 「元」 means an ingredient it is usually written 「素」, as in 「スープの素」.
- Synonym源みなもとWrittenThe source of a river, or figuratively the origin of something, as in 「文化の源」. Leans written and literary.
- Synonym素材そざいNeutralMaterial before processing, or subject matter for artistic work, as in 「素材を生かす」. More concrete about raw material than 「元」.
- Synonym根底こんていWrittenThe deepest-level foundation of something, as in 「根底から覆す」. Mostly with abstract things such as ideas and systems.
- Synonym基礎きそNeutralA building's foundation or the basis something stands on, as in 「基礎知識」. 「元」 leans to origins, 「基礎」 to the supporting layer.
- Synonym土台どだいNeutralA building foundation or a figurative basis, as in 「信頼が土台だ」. As an adverb it means fundamentally, a use 「元」 lacks.
- Synonym元凶げんきょうWrittenThe ringleader of a wrongdoing or the root of a bad outcome, as in 「事件の元凶」. Used only for bad things.
- Synonym本元ほんもとWrittenThe fundamental source of something, or the main line of a family; 「本家本元」 is said to stress authenticity.
- Synonym基底きていWrittenA written word for the most basic part of something or the base of a solid; mostly academic, as in 「基底」 in mathematics.
- Synonym基部きぶWrittenThe base part of an object, as in 「首の基部」. Mostly for concrete structures in anatomy, architecture and the like.
- SynonymねたCasualColloquial: sushi toppings, or material for talk and comedy, as in 「話のねた」; also evidence or a conjuring trick's secret.
- SynonymたねNeutralSeed; figuratively the cause of something, as in 「悩みの種」 and 「けんかの種」. Mostly for causes of worries and disputes.
- Synonym原因げんいんNeutralThe cause that brings about a result, as in 「事故の原因」. More explicitly tied to a result than 「元」.
- SynonymマテリアルNeutralA loanword for material, mostly in design and industrial fields; in everyday speech say 「材料」 or 「素材」.
- Synonym基盤きばんWrittenThe base that supports something, as in 「生活基盤」 and 「経営基盤」. A stable supporting base, while 「元」 is about origin.
- Synonym根元ねもとWrittenSame word as the entry above: 「根元」 is just another writing of 「根源」, with the same meaning. In speech, causes are usually 「元」 or 「原因」.
- Synonym出どころでどころNeutralThe source of news, money and the like, as in 「噂の出どころ」; also the moment to appear or act. 「元」 additionally covers bases and causes.
- Related素因そいんWrittenA written word for an underlying basic factor; in medicine, a predisposition to illness. Seen in specialist writing.
- Antonym末すえWrittenAn old word for the tip of a plant or tree, standing opposite 「元（もと）」, which points to the root or base.
「元」 works broadly for origins, bases and causes. Pick 「原因」 for a clear cause behind a result, 「根源」 for the abstract root of a problem, 「材料」 or 「素材」 for raw materials, and 「基礎」 or 「基盤」 for foundations. 「出どころ」 covers sources of news or money, 「ねた」 is colloquial for topics or sushi toppings, 「元凶」 is only for bad things, and 「末」 is the old opposite meaning tip.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
