基
fundamentals, radical (chem), counter for machines, foundation
Readings
On'yomi
- キ
Kun'yomi
- もと
- もとい
Nanori
- きい
- とも
Meaning
基 centers on the base or starting point that supports everything above it: a foundation, fundamentals, or a chemical radical that serves as a core unit. The counter-for-machines sense extends this idea to counting foundational devices.
Most common words using 基
20 of 418- 基本きほんN3
basics; fundamentals; basis; foundation
- 基準きじゅんN2
standard; criterion; norm; benchmark; measure; gauge; basis
- 基地きちN2
base (military, expedition, etc.)
- 基づくもとづくN3
to be based (on); to be founded (on); to be grounded (on); to be in accordance (with)
- 基礎きそN3
foundation; basis
- 基もといN1
basis; foundation; origin; source
- 基き
group
- 基盤きばんN2
base; basis; foundation; footing; infrastructure
- 基金ききんN1
fund; foundation
- 基調きちょう
basic tone; underlying tone; basic theme; basis; keynote
- 基板きばん
(circuit) board; substrate
- 基幹きかん
mainstay; nucleus; key
- 塩基えんき
base
- 基底きてい
base; basis; foundation
- 基軸きじく
basis; foundation; core; criterion; standard
- 労基法ろうきほう
Labor Standards Act
- 基本給きほんきゅう
base pay
- 基部きぶ
base; foundation
- 基点きてん
datum point; cardinal point; reference point; origin
- 基質きしつ
substrate (i.e. in biochemistry)
Study
Etymology
基 combines 其, which likely contributes the sound, with 土 (earth), suggesting a foundation or base built on the ground.
Meaning mnemonic
The top 其 looks like a basket or container, and the bottom 土 is earth. Picture a basket filled with earth as the solid foundation for a building.
Reading mnemonic
For キ, imagine a key foundation stone: key -> キ, and that stone is the base of the whole structure.