基
基·foundation, fundamentals, radical (chem)
- On-yomi
- キ
- Kun-yomi
- もともとい
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 基本 | きほん | basics, fundamentals |
| 基礎 | きそ | foundation, groundwork |
| 基準 | きじゅん | standard, criterion |
| 基づく | もとづく | to be based on |
Example sentences
まず基本から練習しましょう。
まずきほんかられんしゅうしましょう。
Let's practise the basics first.
この規則は法律に基づいている。
このきそくはほうりつにもとづいている。
This rule is based on the law.
安全の基準がさらに厳しくなった。
あんぜんのきじゅんがさらにきびしくなった。
The safety standards have become even stricter.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- Reading 基づく as きづく — that is 気づく (to notice); this one is もとづく
- Confusing 基準 (standard to measure against) with 規準 (norm to follow)
Memory aid
Picture it
其 over 土 — earth packed down at the bottom: the ground layer everything else is built on.
Vocabulary using this kanji
- 回復基調かいふくきちょうrecovery trend, an underlying trend of recovery
- 基金ききんfund; foundation; endowment
- 基本きほんbasics
- 基づくもとづくto be grounded on, to be based on, to be due to, to originate from
- 基もとbasis, foundation, base
- 基礎きそfoundation
- 基準きじゅんstandard, criterion, benchmark
- 基盤きばんbase, foundation, basis
- 基地きちbase (military or operational)
Quick check
1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 4 of 5
What does the kanji 基 mean?