Translation and Meaning of: 元 - moto

The word 「元」 (moto) is a kanji often associated with the concepts of origin and base. In the Japanese language, this expression has a rich and multifaceted etymology. 「元」 is an ideogram that can also be read as "gen," and its visual configuration denotes stability and foundation, symbolizing a starting point or reference. In the linguistic context, "moto" is versatile and can be found in various expressions and placements, demonstrating its relevance in the Japanese language.

The kanji 「元」 is composed of the radical 二 which represents "two" or "relation" and the component 儿, which suggests a human crouching, indicating a starting point or the idea of something primary. Originally, this combination denotes the idea of beginning, root, or origin, characteristics associated with the perception of something fundamental. Historically, this notion of foundation and originality has been reflected in various uses that have ranged from philosophical aspects to practical applications in everyday language.

In addition to its use to indicate "origin," 「元」 carries meanings that vary according to the context. In the field of mathematics, for example, the word is used in terms like "元號" (gen-gō), which refers to an era or period. This illustrates the adaptability of the term, showcasing the multiple possibilities for interpretation and use in everyday life, both historical and contemporary. In more colloquial contexts, "moto" can indicate a return to the essence or original state of something, a concept important in philosophies that value the return to a pure or natural state.

In modern Japanese, "moto" is still widely used not only in isolation but also in combination with other characters to form compound words that reflect the importance of roots, bases, and beginnings. In addition, expressions constructed with 「元」often reflect traditional Japanese cultural values that emphasize continuity and the maintenance of a connection with the past and traditions.

Vocabulary

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Synonyms and similar words

• 先祖 (senzo) - ancestor
• 先人 (senjin) - Ancestor, a person who lived before
• 先代 (sendai) - Previous generation, predecessor
• 先輩 (senpai) - Mentor or more experienced colleague
• 前任 (zen'in) - Previous occupant of a position
• 前代 (zendai) - Past generation
• 前輩 (zenpai) - Mentor or older colleague, similar to senpai, but in a succession context.
• 前身 (zenshin) - Antecedent, that which came before

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元

Romaji: moto
Kana: もと
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: origin

Meaning in English: origin

Definition: The origin or foundation of something.

Example Sentences - (元) moto

See below some example sentences:

この襟元のデザインがとても素敵ですね。

Kono eri moto no dezain ga totemo suteki desu ne

The design of this neck is very good.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 襟元 - noun meaning "collar"
• の - particle that indicates possession or relationship between words
• デザイン - noun that means "design"
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 素敵 - adjective meaning "beautiful" or "nice"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form
• ね - particle indicating a rhetorical question or confirmation

足元が悪いと転びやすいです。

Ashimoto ga warui to korobi yasui desu

If the floor is bad

It's easy to fall if your feet are bad.

• 足元 - means "around the feet" or "floor" in Japanese.
• が - Grammatical particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
• 悪い - adjective that means "bad" or "evil".
• と - grammatical particle that indicates a condition or situation.
• 転びやすい - verb meaning "easy to fall" or "prone to tripping."
• です - linking verb indicating a statement or assertion.

私は地元の人です。

Watashi wa jimoto no hito desu

I am a local person.

I am a place.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 地元 (jimoto) - noun that means "place of origin"
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession, in this case "of"
• 人 (hito) - noun that means "person"
• です (desu) - verb to be in the polite form

炭素は地球上で最も豊富な元素の一つです。

Tanso wa chikyūjō de mottomo hōfu na genso no hitotsu desu

Carbon is one of the most abundant elements on Earth.

Carbon is one of the most abundant elements on Earth.

• 炭素 (tanso) - carbon
• は (wa) - marcador de tópico
• 地球上 (chikyuujo) - na Terra
• で (de) - marcador de localização
• 最も (mottomo) - maioria
• 豊富な (houfunna) - abundante
• 元素 (gensou) - element
• の (no) - possessive marker
• 一つ (hitotsu) - um
• です (desu) - copula

坊やは元気ですか？

Bōya wa genki desu ka?

How's the boy?

How are you?

• 坊や - Boy
• は - Topic particle
• 元気 - health, vigor, energy
• です - Verb ser/estar (polite form)
• か - interrogative particle

元気ですか？

Genki desu ka?

How are you?

how are you doing?

• 元気 (genki) - means "well-being" or "health"
• です (desu) - is an auxiliary verb that indicates a polite or respectful way of speaking
• か (ka) - is an interrogative particle that indicates a question
• ? - is the punctuation mark used to indicate a question in Japanese

ボーイは元気です。

Booi wa genki desu

The boy is fine.

• ボーイ - Japanese word meaning "boy"
• は - topic particle in Japanese, which indicates that the subject of the sentence is the "boy"
• 元気 - Japanese word meaning "health", "vitality" or "energy"
• です - verb "to be" in Japanese, which indicates that the "boy" is "well" or "healthy"

元年は新しい始まりです。

Gannen wa atarashii hajimari desu

The first year is a new beginning.

• 元年 - New Year
• は - Topic particle
• 新しい - New
• 始まり - Beginning
• です - Ser/estar (linking verb)

元気になりたいです。

Genki ni naritai desu

I want to feel good.

I want to be fine.

• 元気 (genki) - means "energy" or "vitality"
• に (ni) - a particle indicating action or direction
• なりたい (naritai) - a conjugated form of the verb "naru" meaning "to become" or "to be"
• です (desu) - a particle indicating a formal or polite statement

実を食べると元気になる。

Jitsu wo taberu to genki ni naru

Eating fruits makes you feel energetic.

Eating fruits makes you feel better.

• 実 - means "fruit" or "nut" in Japanese.
• を - Object particle in Japanese.
• 食べる - verb "to eat" in Japanese.
• と - connecting particle in Japanese.
• 元気 - means "energy" or "vitality" in Japanese.
• に - destination particle in Japanese.
• なる - verb "to become" in Japanese.