根

gēn

木 + 艮

HSK 2.0Level 5

HSK 3.0Level 5

Definitions

gēn (noun) root; base; foundation

gēn (classifier) classifier for long slender objects

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 木 represents the meaning and 艮 represents the sound.

Semantic: 木 Phonetic: 艮

About

The character 根 is a phonosemantic compound, combining 木 (mù, tree/wood) as the semantic component indicating 'root' and 艮 (gěn, tough/still) as the phonetic, which also lends a connotation of firmness, natural for a plant's foundation. Originally referring to the roots of plants or trees, the meaning later broadened to include the source, origin, or fundamental basis of abstract concepts and issues. Today it is commonly used as a noun for foundation and a measure word for long, slender objects like sticks or strings.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

大树的根很粗。

Dà shù de gēn hěn cū.

The big tree's roots are thick.

根据计划，我们明天出发。

Gēnjù jìhuà, wǒmen míngtiān chūfā.

According to the plan, we leave tomorrow.

水是生命的根源。

Shuǐ shì shēngmìng de gēnyuán.

Water is the origin of life.

这根本不是问题。

Zhè gēnběn bù shì wèntí.

This is not a problem at all.

我们要从根本上解决这个问题。

Wǒmen yào cóng gēnběn shang jiějué zhège wèntí.

We need to solve this problem from the root.

政府决心根除腐败。

Zhèngfǔ juéxīn gēnchú fǔbài.

The government is determined to eradicate corruption.

只有找到问题的根源，才能有效应对。

Zhǐyǒu zhǎodào wèntí de gēnyuán, cáinéng yǒuxiào yìngduì.

Only by finding the root of the problem can we effectively deal with it.

这种观念已经根植于他们的文化之中。

Zhè zhǒng guānniàn yǐjīng gēnzhí yú tāmen de wénhuà zhī zhōng.

This concept has already taken root in their culture.

Related Characters

Component: 木

Component: 艮

根