基
基 — Fundamentals
fundamentals, radical (chem), counter for machines, foundation
On’yomiキ (ki)
Kun’yomiもと (moto)
Kun’yomiもとい (motoi)
Stroke order (11 strokes)
Watch the strokes draw themselves in the correct order — numbers mark where each stroke starts. Diagram from KanjiVG (CC BY-SA).
Common words using 基
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 基本 | きほん kihon | basics; fundamentals; basis |
| 基準 | きじゅん kijun | standard; criterion; norm |
| 基金 | ききん kikin | fund; foundation |
| 基礎 | きそ kiso | foundation; basis |
| 基地 | きち kichi | base (military, expedition, etc.); enthusiast; maniac |
| 基盤 | きばん kiban | base; basis; foundation |
Study notes
基 is a JLPT N1 kanji written with 11 strokes. It is taught in Japanese elementary school (grade 5), so native children learn it early — a good sign it appears everywhere. Ranked #241 of the 2,500 most frequent kanji in newspapers. On’yomi (音読み) are Chinese-derived readings mostly used in compound words; kun’yomi (訓読み) are native Japanese readings, with any highlighted part written in hiragana after the kanji (okurigana).
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