Vocab Info

N1 Noun, Counter

(もと)origin, source, base, basis, foundation, root, cause, ingredient, material, (somebody's) side, (somebody's) location, original cost (or capital, principal, etc.), (plant) root, (tree) trunk, first section of a waka, counter for blades of grass, tree trunks, etc., and for falcons (in falconry), handle (chopsticks, brush, etc.), grip

    Dictionary Definition

    Common
    1. Noun

      1.

      origin, source, beginning

      esp. 元
    2. Noun

      2.

      basis, base, foundation, root

      oft. 基
    3. Noun

      3.

      cause

      also written as 因, 原
    4. Noun

      4.

      (raw) material, ingredient, base, mix (e.g. for a cake), (soup) stock

      esp. 素
    5. Noun

      5.

      (one's) side

      Only applies to 元
    6. Noun

      6.

      capital, principal, cost price

      Only applies to 元
    7. Noun

      7.

      root (of a plant), (tree) trunk

    8. Noun

      8.

      part (of a brush, chopsticks, etc.) one holds (with the hand)

    9. Noun

      9.

      first three lines of a waka

      See Also:

    10. Counter

      10.

      counter for plants or trees

      Only applies to 本
    11. Counter

      11.

      counter for falcons (in falconry)

      Only applies to 本

    All Forms

    元 【もと】本 【もと】素 【もと】基 【もと】

    Details

    • Pitch Accent

    • Netflix Top 400

    Examples

    --:--

      ホコリがアレルギー反応(はんのう)(もと)となるから、頻繁(ひんぱん)掃除(そうじ)をしないといけない。

      Since dust can cause allergic reactions, I need to clean frequently.

      • N1

      (はは):「玩具(おもちゃ)(あそ)んだ(あと)(もと)場所(ばしょ)(もど)しなさい!」

      Mother: 'Put your toys back where they belong after you're done playing!'

      • N1

      タバコの不始末(ふしまつ)()(もと)となって、火災(かさい)発生(はっせい)したそうだ。

      Careless handling of cigarettes was the cause of the fire.

      • N1

      パンデミックの(とき)()きこもったことが(もと)で、(うつ)発症(はっしょう)したとみられています。

      It's believed that isolating during the pandemic led to the onset of depression.

      • N1

      (もと)からこの地域(ちいき)()んでいる(ひと)はこの地域(ちいき)のことをよく()っているはずだ。

      People who have lived in this area since the beginning should know it well.

      • N1
    • Get more example sentences!

      Premium users get access to all example sentences on all Vocab.

    Self-Study Sentences

    Study your own way!

    Add sentences and study them alongside Bunpro sentences.