Kanji

Jōyō kanji, Taught in grade 5

JLPT level: N1

241 of 2500 most used kanji in newspapers

Stroke count: 11

Meaning: fundamentals, radical (chem), counter for machines, foundation

Kunyomi: もと もとい

Onyomi:

Composition:

Radical

Radical:

Reading: つち

Meaning: earth

Strokes: 3

Examples

Examples with audio

礎(きそ)   foundation

本(きほん)   basis

準(きじゅん)   norm, standard

地(きち)   base [n.]

金(ききん)   funds

(もと)   basis

づく(もとづく)   be based on

(もとい)   basis

Onyomi Examples

group, (free) radical, counter for installed or mounted objects (e.g. stone lanterns, gravestones, satellites)

起因 キイン to be caused by, to result from, to arise from, to stem from, to be due to, cause, origin

エンキ base

カイキ founding (of a temple or sect), founder, laying the foundation (for something), base (topology), basis

Kunyomi Examples

もと origin, source, base, basis, foundation, root, cause, ingredient, material, base, mix, stock, (someone's) side, (someone's) location, original cost (or capital, principal, etc.), (plant) root, (tree) trunk, first section of a waka, counter for blades of grass, tree trunks, etc., and for falcons (in falconry), handle (chopsticks, brush, etc.), grip

もとい basis, foundation, cause

失敗は成功のもと しっぱいはせいこうのもと failure teaches success, failure is a stepping-stone to success

生兵法は大怪我のもと なまびょうほうはおおけがのもと a little learning is a dangerous thing

もとい basis, foundation, cause