Definitions

(noun) base; foundation
(adjective) basic; fundamental

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 基, signifying "foundation" or "base", originates from a phono-semantic composition combining the semantic element 土, meaning earth, with the phonetic component 其, which historically guided pronunciation. This structural arrangement points to its initial concrete meaning of an earthen foundation or substructure for constructions. Over time, the term's usage expanded beyond physical building bases to incorporate abstract notions of fundamental principles or underlying groundwork, as seen in compound words like 基础 (foundation) and 基本 (basic), reflecting a semantic shift from the material to the conceptual while preserving its essential connotation of a supporting base.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这是我的础。

Zhè shì wǒ de jīchǔ.

This is my foundation.

这是我们的新地。

Zhè shì wǒmen de xīn jīdì.

This is our new base.

公司的本规则必须遵守。

Gōngsī de jīběn guīzé bìxū zūnshǒu.

The company's basic rules must be followed.

他们的计划是于科学的。

Tāmen de jìhuà shì jīyú kēxué de.

Their plan is based on science.

础设施建设非常重要。

Jīchǔ shèshī jiànshè fēicháng zhòngyào.

Infrastructure construction is very important.

科学家正在研究这种因的功能。

Kēxuéjiā zhèngzài yánjiū zhè zhǒng jīyīn de gōngnéng.

Scientists are researching the function of this gene.

这项政策的调是促进发展。

Zhè xiàng zhèngcè de jīdiào shì cùjìn fāzhǎn.

The keynote of this policy is to promote development.

于以上数据,我们可以得出初步结论。

Jīyú yǐshàng shùjù, wǒmen kěyǐ déchū chūbù jiélùn.

Based on the above data, we can draw a preliminary conclusion.