How to say 'Origin' or 'Basis' in Japanese | 元

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The Japanese word for Origin or Basis is 'Moto', written as 元 in Japanese.'Origin' or 'Basis' in hiragana is もと.

word

元

Meaning

Origin, Basis

Reading

もと

moto

Kanji

元Origin

Explanation

The Japanese noun '元 (もと)' can mean 'origin' or 'basis'. It refers to the source, foundation, or starting point of something. It is often used in contexts where the focus is on the root or cause of a situation, object, or concept. For example: This is the origin of the problem「これが問題の元です」(これがもんだいのもとです). The basis of his argument is weak「彼の議論の元は弱い」(かれのぎろんのもとはよわい). The word can also be used in compound words, such as '元気 (げんき)' (energy/health), where it contributes the meaning of 'source' or 'origin'.

Part Of Speech

noun

Kanji JLPT

Kanji Grade

Frequency

445

Composition

kanji

Handwriting

Kanji in the Word 元

This word contains 1 kanji character:

kanji

元

Meaning

Origin

Words Related to 元 Through the Kanji 元

These 12 Words contain the Kanji 元 as well.

word

元気

Meaning

Healthy, Energetic

word

元々

Meaning

Originally

word

元旦

Meaning

New years day

word

元来

Meaning

Originally

word

元日

Meaning

New years day

word

お中元

Meaning

Mid year gift

word

地元

Meaning

Hometown

word

次元

Meaning

Dimension

word

足元

Meaning

Base, Foot

word

元年

Meaning

First year

word

手元

Meaning

Hand, Nearby

word

紀元

Meaning

Era

Learn the Word 元

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What does 'Moto' (元) mean?

'Moto' means 'Origin' or 'Basis' .

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