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Kotomora

礎

cornerstone, foundation stone

JLPTN1StatusJōyō · secondary schoolFrequencyTop 2,000Strokes18

Readings

On'yomi

  • ソ

Kun'yomi

  • いしずえ

Nanori

  • もと

Meaning

礎 centers on the fundamental base that supports everything above: a cornerstone or foundation stone that provides stability and structure.

Most common words using 礎

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Etymology

礎 combines 石 (stone) with 楚, which likely contributes the sound ソ and may carry an idea of a base or foundation. The exact historical development of 楚 in this context is uncertain.

Meaning mnemonic

The left side is a stone 石, and the right side 楚 looks like a structure being built. Picture a large stone placed first as the cornerstone, with the rest of the building rising from it.

Reading mnemonic

For ソ, imagine laying a cornerstone so perfectly that it makes a soft, satisfying 'so' sound as it settles into place: so -> ソ.