noun
perseverance; persistence; stick-to-itiveness
Refers to the quality of not giving up, often used in contexts of effort, study, or work. The gloss 'stick-to-itiveness' is colloquial.
彼の成功は根のおかげだ。
His success is due to his perseverance.
勉強には根が必要だ。
Studying requires persistence.
noun
In chemistry, a radical, especially one that ionizes easily. Technical term.
See also: 基 (き)
この化合物は根を生成しやすい。
This compound tends to produce radicals.
noun
Mathematical root, such as square root or root of an equation.
この方程式の根を求めなさい。
Find the root of this equation.
noun
indriya (Buddhist faculty)
Buddhist term for the sensory or spiritual faculties. Rare outside Buddhist contexts.
仏教では、根は感覚器官を指すことがある。
In Buddhism, 根 can refer to the sensory organs.
根気 is a more common word for patience or perseverance, while 根 is a shorter, somewhat more abstract or literary term for the same quality.
根性 often implies guts or willpower, sometimes with a negative nuance of stubbornness, whereas 根 is a neutral term for persistence.
The kanji 根 means 'root' and is used in various extended senses. The reading こん is the on'yomi. The perseverance sense is a metaphorical extension from the idea of being rooted or firmly grounded.