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On'yomi
ゲン・ガン
GEN / GAN
Kun'yomi
もと
moto

beginning · former time · origin

Details

Strokes4
Frequency#192
Radicallegs(2)

Stroke Order

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Strokes4

Component Breakdown

=

one + 兀

Cultural Context

Etymology

Shape emphasizing person's head. Beginning, origin.

Symbolism

Origin, vitality, New Year's Day. Represents beginning and foundation.

Related Culture & Scenes

  • Flow of time

Words & Expressions

Four-Character Compounds

一新紀元

いっしんきげん

new era; new age; new era

本家本元

ほんけほんもと

original home; birthplace; originator; original home

鼻元思案

はなもとじあん

superficial (shortsighted) way of thinking; half-baked (foolish, ill-advised) idea; superficial (shortsighted) way of thinking

元気溌剌

げんきはつらつ

full of energy; full of liveliness; full of pep; full of energy

一世一元

いっせいいちげん

the practice of assigning one era name to one emperor; the practice of assigning one era name to one emperor

喉元思案

のどもとじあん

superficial way of thinking; shortsighted thinking; shallow idea; superficial way of thinking

Proverbs & Idioms

元の木阿弥

もとのもくあみ

Back to square one

All efforts were in vain; returned to the original state