元
Meanings
Refers to where something starts or comes from; 元 is especially common for this sense.
Tracing the rumor back to its source led to a single post.
basis; base; foundation; root
Used for the basis on which an idea, plan, rule, or structure rests; 基 is especially common in expressions such as 基に.
This plan was made based on field research.
cause; source of trouble
Often used in phrases like けんかの元 or 失敗の元, meaning something that gives rise to a problem or result. 因 and 原 are spelling variants noted for this sense.
A small misunderstanding became the cause of the quarrel.
ingredient; base; mix; stock
Used for a prepared base, raw material, cooking mix, or stock; 素 is especially common in product names and food expressions.
Adding a little soup-stock base brings the flavor together.
I bought pancake mix.
one's side; one's place; near someone
Only when written 元
Restricted to 元. Commonly appears in compounds and fixed expressions such as 親元 and 手元, referring to someone's side, place, or immediate possession.
When I entered university, I left my parents' home for the first time.
capital; principal; cost price
Only when written 元
Restricted to 元. Used in money and business expressions such as 元を取る, meaning to recover the original cost or capital.
If we sell it too cheaply, we won't recover the cost.
base of a plant; root; tree trunk
Refers to the lower or base part of a plant or tree, near the roots or trunk.
The young tree snapped at the base in the strong wind.
part held in the hand; handle end
Refers to the end or part of an object such as chopsticks or a brush that is held by the hand, as opposed to the tip.
You hold chopsticks toward the back end, not at the tips.
first three lines of a waka
A specialized term connected with waka poetry, referring to the first three 5-7-5 lines; not a general everyday use.
See also: 和歌
In waka, there is a usage in which the first three lines are called moto.
counter for plants or trees
Only when written 本
Restricted to 本, but the reading もと as a counter is now uncommon and has a literary or traditional feel.
There is one plum tree planted in the garden.
counter for falcons
Only when written 本
Restricted to 本. A specialized falconry counter and not a normal modern way to count birds in general.
In falconry, there is a usage that counts falcons as hitomoto, futamoto, and so on.
Usage patterns
- 〈事〉の元をたどるto trace something back to its origin
Tracing the incident back to its origin, it turned out to be a small misunderstanding.
- 〈事〉を元にbased on ~
This movie was made based on a true story.
- 〈事〉の元the cause/source of ~
Overwork is a cause of illness.
- 〈人〉の元へto/at someone's side
He returned to his father's side.