元
元·origin, former
- On-yomi
- ゲンガン
- Kun-yomi
- もと
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 元気 | げんき | healthy, energetic |
| 元 | もと | origin, former |
| 地元 | じもと | local area, hometown |
| 元日 | がんじつ | New Year's Day |
Example sentences
お元気ですか。
おげんきですか。
How are you?
彼は地元の高校で働いています。
かれはじもとのこうこうではたらいています。
He works at a high school in his hometown.
使ったものは元の場所に戻してください。
つかったものはもとのばしょにもどしてください。
Please put what you used back where it was.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- Reading 元日 as *げんじつ — it is がんじつ.
- Answering お元気ですか with 元気です every time — between people who meet daily it sounds odd.
Memory aid
Picture it
Two legs standing under two lines — a person planted at the very beginning of things.
Vocabulary using this kanji
- お元気ですかおげんきですかhow are you?
- 元気げんきhealthy, energetic
- 元もと(1) origin, original, (2) former
- 元手もとでcapital, funds (to start something)
- 元々もともとoriginally, from the start
- 元本がんぽんprincipal (of a loan or investment)
- 次元じげんdimension, level
- 足元を見るあしもとをみるto take advantage of a weakness
- 元も子もないもともこもないto lose everything
- 元来がんらいoriginally, by nature
- 元素げんそchemical element
- 元首げんしゅhead of state; sovereign; ruler
Quick check
1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 2 of 5
What does the kanji 元 mean?