基本
Meaning in Englishbasis, foundation, basic
Animated kanji stroke order
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Word context
What it means
What does 基本 mean? It refers to the foundation or basis of something—the essential elements that support an idea, system, skill, or practice, providing the groundwork needed to understand or perform it.
Main meanings
- Core sense: foundation or basis of a concept, object, or procedure
- Fundamental principles or elements that determine how something works
- As a noun, the general notion of the basics; in compounds or fixed phrases it forms common terms like 基本方針, 基本原理
- As a modifier in 基本的に, it yields the sense 'basically' or 'essentially'
How to use it
Used as a noun to denote the foundation or core of a concept, system, or activity. In formal writing and education it appears to define essential principles or prerequisites; in everyday speech it can mean 'basically' when paired with 基本的に. Common uses include 基本方針 and 基本原理; 基本的に expresses a general or essential stance, often preceding the main point or rule.
Variants and close terms
- 基礎 (kiso) — foundation, groundwork
- 根本 (konpon) — base, essential
- 基本的 (kihonteki) — basic, fundamental
Composition
- 基: base, foundation; on'yomi ki, kun'yomi moto
- 本: origin, root; on'yomi hon, kun'yomi moto
Etymology
on'yomi ki, hon; kun'yomi moto combined to form kihon; the characters separately mean base/foundation and origin/root; the compound uses the on'yomi readings to give a Sino-Japanese term for foundation or basis.
Word class
Noun (名詞)