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道Nihongo Path
根

根·root, base, perseverance

On-yomi
コン
Kun-yomi
ね

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.

10 strokes, numbered in writing order. Data: KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0).

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
根ねroot
根本こんぽんfoundation, the root of the matter
屋根やねroof
根気こんきpatience, perseverance

Example sentences

  1. この木の根はとても深い。

    このきのねはとてもふかい。

    This tree's roots are very deep.

  2. 台風で屋根がこわれてしまった。

    たいふうでやねがこわれてしまった。

    The roof was damaged by the typhoon.

  3. 問題を根本から考え直す必要がある。

    もんだいをこんぽんからかんがえなおすひつようがある。

    We need to rethink the problem from the ground up.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Reading 根本 as *こんほん — it becomes こんぽん
  • Reading 屋根 as *おくね; the everyday reading is やね

Memory aid

Picture it

A tree (木) with 艮 'staying put' beside it — the part of the tree that stays fixed in the ground.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 根 mean?