KANJI: GEN GAN moto (origin, source)

ASCII Art Representation:

 
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Character Etymology:

Once written as an ideograph showing a person with an exaggerated head. This symbolized the upper part or prime part, and by extension the origin. Like in English when speaking figuratively: the head of the line is from whence the line extends.

The character was later stylized and a second top stroke was added for emphasis.

A Listing of All On-Yomi and Kun-Yomi Readings:

on-yomi: GEN GAN
kun-yomi: moto

Nanori Readings:

Nanori: chika hajime haru yuki yoshi

English Definitions:

  1. GAN, GEN: yuan; origin; New Year's Day; first year of an era.
  2. GEN: Mongol (dynasty).
  3. moto: beginning, origin; foundation, basis, source; cause; root (of a tree); (raw) material, base, capital; [principal; cost; forebears; formerly.
  4. moto(yori): originally; of course.

Character Index Numbers:

New Nelson: 343
Henshall: 106

Unicode Encoded Version:

Unicode Encoded Compound Examples:

(genki): good health
(ganrai): originally, logically, naturally, essentialy.
(motokin, gankin): capital, principle.
(ganjitsu): New Year's Day.
(motode): funds, capital, stock.
元道理 (motodouri): as before.

 

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