JLPT N4 · 4 strokes
Kanji 元: "beginning, former time, origin"
The kanji 元 means "beginning, former time, origin". It is written with 4 strokes and belongs to JLPT level N4, read ゲン, ガン in on'yomi and もと in kun'yomi.
Stroke order
Strokes are written in the order of the numbers. The order is not decorative: it is what gives the character its balance, and it is also how handwriting search works in Japanese dictionaries.
Readings
On'yomi (Sino-Japanese reading)
ゲンガン
Kun'yomi (native Japanese reading)
もと
In a kun'yomi reading, the dot separates the kanji from its okurigana: かた.る is read かたる and written 語る. A hyphen marks a bound position, like -び in 日.
At a glance
| Meaning | beginning, former time, origin |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 4 |
| JLPT level | N4 |
| Taught in Japan | grade 2 |
| Frequency rank | 192 of 2,501 |
Common words with 元
The most frequent words using this kanji, most common first, with furigana readings. Click one to open it in the reader.
- 元origin; source; beginning · basis; base; foundation; root
- 元former; ex-; past; one-time · earlier times; the past; previous state
- 元気lively; full of spirit; energetic; vigorous · healthy; well; fit; in good health
- 元々originally; from the start; from the beginning; from the outset · none the worse (for); (coming out) even; in the same position (as before)
- 足元at one's feet; underfoot; one's step (as in "watch your step") · gait; pace; step
- 地元home area; home town · local
- 口元bouche, lèvres · commissure des lèvres, expression de la bouche
- 手元at hand; on hand; nearby; close at hand · way of moving one's arms; skill
- 胸元poitrine, décolleté · creux de l'estomac, plexus solaire
- 耳元close to the ear
- 元に戻るrevenir à la normale, retrouver son état d'origine
- 次元dimension · perspective; point of reference; level (of something)
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