根
root, radical, head (pimple)
Readings
On'yomi
- コン
Kun'yomi
- ね
- -ね
Meaning
根 centers on the base or source of something: a plant's root, the fundamental part of a thing, or the core of a pimple. The radical sense extends this to the root-like role of a component in other characters.
Most common words using 根
24 of 381- 屋根やねN3
roof
- 根ねN2
root (of a plant)
- 根拠こんきょN1
basis; grounds; foundation; reason; authority
- 根本こんぽんN1
root; source; origin
- 島根しまね
Shimane (prefecture)
- 大根だいこんN1
daikon (variety of large white Oriental radish, Raphanus sativus var. longipinnatus)
- 根性こんじょうN1
willpower; guts; determination; grit; spirit
- 尾根おね
(mountain) ridge
- 根底こんていN1
root; basis; foundation
- 根源こんげん
root; source; origin; cause
- 根強いねづよい
firmly rooted; deep-seated
- 根絶こんぜつ
eradication; extermination; rooting out; stamping out; getting rid of
- 根幹こんかん
foundation; root; basis; core; fundamentals
- 付け根つけね
root; joint; base; crotch
- 根気こんきN2
patience; perseverance; persistence; tenacity; energy
- 根っこねっこN1
root (of a plant)
- 垣根かきねN2
hedge; fence
- 草の根くさのね
roots of grass; places hidden from sight
- 根回しねまわしN1
laying the groundwork; behind-the-scenes maneuvering; consensus-building process
- 事実無根じじつむこん
groundless; entirely contrary to fact
- 禍根かこん
root of an evil; source of a problem; source of trouble; cause of misfortune
- 根本的こんぽんてきN1
fundamental; basic
- 根ざすねざす
to come from; to have roots in
- 根掘り葉掘りねほりはほりN1
inquisitively; pryingly; nosily; thoroughly; persistently; through-and-through
Study
Etymology
根 combines 木 (tree) with 艮, which likely contributes the sound and the idea of a base or stopping point, suggesting the root of a tree.
Meaning mnemonic
A tree 木 with its roots spreading out like the shape 艮: the root is the foundation that anchors the tree.
Reading mnemonic
For コン, imagine a cone-shaped root growing deep into the ground: cone -> コン, and the root anchors the tree.