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What is the Kanji for 'Origin'? | 元

If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for 'Origin', you've come to the right place!

The Japanese Kanji for 'Origin' is 元.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Origin

    Reading

    kunyomiもと

    moto

    onyomiげん

    gen

    Parts

    Two Legs

    Example Word

    お中元: mid year gift. The Japanese noun 'お中元 (おちゅうげん)' refers to a traditional custom of giving gifts during the midyear, typically around July, to express gratitude or maintain social relationships. This practice is deeply rooted in Japanese culture and is often directed towards superiors, colleagues, or acquaintances. The gifts are usually items like food, drinks, or household goods. For example: I received a midyear gift from my boss「上司からお中元をもらいました」(じょうしからおちゅうげんをもらいました). We sent a midyear gift to our relatives「親戚にお中元を送りました」(しんせきにおちゅうげんをおくりました). The term 'お中元' is often associated with the summer season and is part of a broader cultural practice that includes 'お歳暮 (おせいぼ)', which is a year-end gift-giving tradition.

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    4

    JLPT

    N4

    Grade

    2

    Frequency

    304

    Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji

If you visually break down this kanji, you can see it is made up of 2 parts:

    kanji

    Meaning

    Two

    radical

    Meaning

    Legs

As Part Of Other Kanji

This kanji appears as part of 4 other kanji:

    kanji

    Meaning

    Complete

    kanji

    Meaning

    Stubborn

    kanji

    Meaning

    Crown, Cap

    kanji

    Meaning

    Toy

Words Using

This kanji is used in 13 words:

    word

    元気

    Meaning

    Healthy, Energetic

    word

    Meaning

    Origin, Basis

    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

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 13 kanji contain the part 二 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Three

    kanji

    Meaning

    Eye

    kanji

    Meaning

    Hand

    kanji

    Meaning

    Car

    kanji

    Meaning

    Say

    kanji

    Meaning

    Make

    kanji

    Meaning

    Meet

    kanji

    Meaning

    Face, Surface

    kanji

    Meaning

    Man, Husband

    kanji

    Meaning

    Show, Indicate

    kanji

    Meaning

    Mutual

    kanji

    Meaning

    Well

    kanji

    Meaning

    Benevolent, Humanity

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 12 kanji contain the part 儿 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Four

    kanji

    Meaning

    See

    kanji

    Meaning

    Before, Previous

    kanji

    Meaning

    Light

    kanji

    Meaning

    Older brother

    kanji

    西

    Meaning

    West

    kanji

    Meaning

    Excuse, Exempt

    kanji

    Meaning

    Equal, Counter for animals

    kanji

    Meaning

    Child

    kanji

    Meaning

    Overcome

    kanji

    Meaning

    Demon, Ogre

    kanji

    Meaning

    Tiger

Learn the Kanji

Let's make sure you fully understand this kanji.

What does 元 mean?

元 means 'Origin'.

Japanese school students learn this kanji in Second Grade, while non-native learners often study it for the JLPT N4 exam.

To help you master this kanji, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.