基もとい

も

と

い

JLPTN1Freq.FrequencyTop 5,000

Meanings

1

noun

basis; foundation; origin; source

Refers to the fundamental basis, foundation, or origin of something, often used in abstract or formal contexts.

この考かんがえ方かたが、新あたらしい理り論ろんの基もといを築きずいた。

This idea laid the foundation for a new theory.

彼かれの成せい功こうの基もといは、地じ道みちな努ど力りょくにある。

The foundation of his success lies in steady effort.

Usage patterns

〈事こと〉の基もといを築きずくto lay the foundation of something
彼かれの努ど力りょくが会かい社しゃ発はっ展てんの基もといを築きずいた。
His efforts laid the foundation for the company's growth.
〈事こと〉の基もといとなるto become the basis of something
その研けん究きゅうが新あたらしい理り論ろんの基もといとなった。
That research became the basis of the new theory.

Kanji

基fundamentals, radical (chem), counter for machines

Related words

基き礎そN3
基礎 is the common word for a concrete or academic foundation, while 基 is a more literary, abstract term for an underlying basis.
基き盤ばんN2
基盤 emphasizes a structural or systemic base (e.g. economic基盤), whereas 基 is used more for the origin or root cause of something abstract.
土ど台だいN1
土台 is a concrete, everyday word for a physical or metaphorical foundation, while 基 is formal and literary in tone.
根こん本ぽんN1
根本 stresses the deepest root cause of a matter, while 基 focuses on the basis on which something is built or established.
元もとN2
元 is a general, everyday word for origin or source, while 基 carries a more formal nuance of a founding basis.

Etymology

The modern form continues historical もとゐ, traditionally analyzed as 本 “base” plus 居 “being situated,” hence a place or thing that serves as a foundation.