Translation and Meaning of: 基 - motoi

The Japanese word「基」(motoi) is rich in meaning and has an interesting etymology. In the Japanese language,「基」is often used to denote "foundation," "base," or "groundwork." The essence of this word is related to the idea of something that serves as support or a cornerstone for other structures or concepts. The pronunciation "motoi" in Japanese is an Onyomi reading, which is associated with the mentioned meanings.

Etymologically, 「基」 is composed of two main radicals: 「其」, which by itself does not have a specific meaning in modern language but contributes to the idea of location or position, and the lower part 「土」, which means "earth" or "soil". This composition suggests an idea of something that is found in the ground, serving as support, reinforcing the notion of "base" or "foundation".

When addressing the use of this word in the Japanese language, we find variations that amplify its meaning. For example, 「基づく」 (motozuku) means "to be based on" or "to be grounded," while 「基盤」 (kiban) refers to a "base" in the sense of platform or infrastructure. These variations demonstrate how a single kanji can generate several words, each with its own nuances, but all connected to the central idea of support or foundation.

The origin of the use of 「基」 dates back to ancient Japanese, where it was introduced through contact with Chinese culture, along with many other kanji. As the language evolved, 「基」 found its place in technical, scientific, and everyday contexts, becoming a vital part of modern Japanese vocabulary. In summary, the word 「基」 encapsulates both the cultural spirituality of being rooted in something solid and the practicality of being a widely applicable term in various disciplines.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 根 (ne) - Root, origin
• 本 (hon) - Source, base, can also mean "book"
• 原 (gen) - Origin, source, may also refer to "field" or "plane"
• 基礎 (kiso) - Base, foundation
• 基盤 (kiban) - Base, foundation, underlying structure

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基

Romaji: motoi
Kana: もとい
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: base

Meaning in English: basis

Definition: The original. origin.

Example Sentences - (基) motoi

See below some example sentences:

学説に基づいて研究を進める。

Gakusetsu ni motozuite kenkyuu wo susumeru

Proceed with research based on academic theory.

Provide theory-based research.

• 学説 - academic theory
• に - particle indicating the target or object of the action
• 基づいて - based on
• 研究 - research, study
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the action.
• 進める - Move forward, progress

売買は商売の基本です。

Baibai wa shōbai no kihon desu

Buying and selling is the basis of business.

Buying and selling is the basis of business.

• 売買 - buying and selling
• 商売 - Business, Trade
• 基本 - Base, foundation

割り算は数学の基本的な計算方法です。

Warizan wa suugaku no kihonteki na keisan houhou desu

Division is a basic calculation method in mathematics.

Division is the basic calculation method in mathematics.

• 割り算 - It means "division" in Japanese.
• は - It is a TOPIC1TICLE particle indicating that "divisão" is the subject of the sentence.
• 数学 - It means "mathematics" in Japanese.
• の - It is a possessive particle indicating that "mathematics" is the owner of "division".
• 基本的な - It means "basic" or "fundamental" in Japanese.
• 計算方法 - means "calculation method" in Japanese.
• です - It is a closing partic1E31Cle that indicates that the sentence is complete and formal.

作物は農業の基本的な要素です。

Sakumotsu wa nōgyō no kihonteki na yōso desu

Crops are basic elements of agriculture.

Crops are the basic elements of agriculture.

• 作物 - cultivation
• は - Topic particle
• 農業 - agriculture
• の - Possessive particle
• 基本的 - Basic
• な - adjectival suffix
• 要素 - Element
• です - Verb to be/estar

デッサンは美術の基礎です。

Dessan wa bijutsu no kiso desu

Dessan is the basis of art.

Dessan is the basis of art.

• デッサン - drawing
• は - Topic particle
• 美術 - beautiful beaches
• の - Possessive particle
• 基礎 - foundation, base
• です - verb "to be", indicating affirmation or politeness

このプロジェクトの成功の基準は何ですか？

Kono purojekuto no seikō no kijun wa nan desu ka?

What is the success criterion of this project?

What are the successful criteria for this project?

• この - demonstrative pronoun meaning "this" or "this"
• プロジェクト - noun meaning "project"
• の - possessive particle that indicates ownership or belonging
• 成功 - noun meaning "success"
• の - possessive particle that indicates ownership or belonging
• 基準 - noun meaning "criterion" or "standard"
• は - topic particle indicating the main subject of the sentence
• 何 - interrogative pronoun that means "what"
• です - auxiliary verb indicating a polite or polished way of speaking
• か - interrogative particle indicating a question
• ？ - punctuation mark that indicates a question

五十音は日本語の基本的な音の組み合わせを表します。

Gojūon wa nihongo no kihonteki na oto no kumiawase o hyō shimasu

The 1950s indicate the basic combination of the Japanese sound.

• 五十音 - means "fifty sounds" and refers to the set of Japanese characters used to represent sounds and syllables.
• 日本語 - means "Japanese language".
• 基本的な - means "basic" or "fundamental".
• 音 - means "sound" or "musical note".
• 組み合わせ - means "combination" or "arrangement".
• 表します - means "represents" or "shows".

人民は国の基盤である。

Jinmin wa kuni no kiban de aru

People are the foundation of the country.

• 人民 - means "people" in Japanese.
• は - topic particle in Japanese.
• 国 - "País" significa "国" (kuni) em japonês.
• の - possessive particle in Japanese.
• 基盤 - means "base" or "foundation" in Japanese.
• である - formal form of "to be" in Japanese.

土台は建物の基礎です。

Daidai wa tatemono no kiso desu

The base is the basics of the building.

• 土台 (dodai) - base, foundation
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 建物 (tatemono) - building, construction
• の (no) - Possessive particle
• 基礎 (kiso) - foundation, base
• です (desu) - verb to be, to stay

基本に忠実に生きる。

Kihon ni chūjitsu ni ikiru

Live true to the basics.

Live faithfully to the basics.

• 基本 - means "foundations" or "basic principles".
• に - is a particle that indicates the relationship between two things, in this case, between "基本" and "忠実".
• 忠実 - means "loyal" or "faithful".
• に - again the particle that indicates the relationship between "忠実" and "生きる".
• 生きる - means "to live".