本元|ほんもとhonmoto[0]heiban (flat)

1. nounorigin; main branch of family

• Synonym根源こんげんWrittenWritten word for the fundamental root of a thing, as in 「悪の根源」. 「本元」 also means origin but usually appears as 「本家本元」, stressing the authentic line.
• Synonym源みなもとNeutralThe source of a river, and figuratively the origin of things, as in 「力の源」. It carries a literary flavor; 「本元」 stresses the authentic main line.
• Synonym根元ねもとWrittenA written alternative spelling of 「根源」 with the same meaning: the fundamental root of a thing. 「本元」 more often stresses the authentic main line.
• Related出所しゅっしょNeutralThe kanji spelling of 「出どころ」, meaning the same: a source or place of origin. 「本元」 stresses the authentic origin instead.
• Related出どころでどころNeutralWhere news, money and the like came from, as in 「噂の出どころ」. It centers on the place of origin; 「本元」 stresses the authentic source.
• Antonym派生はせいNeutralDerivation: things arising by branching off from a source; the opposite of 「本元」 as the origin.
• Antonym末流ばつりゅうWrittenWritten word for the later, lesser descendants of a line; it stands opposite the authentic 「本元」.

Use 「本元」 for the origin of something or the authentic main line of a family, often as 「本家本元」. For the root of a thing use 「根源」 or 「源」; for where news or money came from use 「出どころ」; for derivation use 「派生」.

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

1. 物事ものごとの始はじまりや根源こんげんとなるもの。
2. 家族かぞくや家系かけいの中心ちゅうしんとなる家筋いえすじ。