礎
礎·cornerstone, foundation stone
- On-yomi
- そ
- Kun-yomi
- いしずえ
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 基礎 | きそ | foundation, basics |
| 礎石 | そせき | foundation stone, cornerstone |
| 礎 | いしずえ | cornerstone, foundation |
| 基礎知識 | きそちしき | basic knowledge |
Example sentences
まず文法の基礎をしっかり固めよう。
まずぶんぽうのきそをしっかりかためよう。
Let's firmly build up the basics of grammar first.
彼は日本の近代医学の礎を築いた。
かれはにほんのきんだいいがくのいしずえをきずいた。
He laid the foundations of modern medicine in Japan.
寺の礎石だけが残っている。
てらのそせきだけがのこっている。
Only the foundation stones of the temple remain.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
- 礎楚楚 is 礎 without 石; on its own it barely appears in modern Japanese.
Common mistakes
- Reading the standalone noun 礎 as そ — alone it is いしずえ
- Reaching for 基本 where 基礎 is wanted: 基礎 is the groundwork you build on, 基本 the basic principle
Memory aid
Picture it
The stone radical 石 plus a thicket of trees: the stone slab dragged in and set under the pillar before anything else is built.
Vocabulary using this kanji
Quick check
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What does the kanji 礎 mean?