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元
origin · former · base · source
N4On: げん、がんKun: もと
Memory Aid
The ancient form of 元 depicted a person with a prominent head, symbolizing the 'head' or 'origin' of a person or thing.
'Gen' — think of 'GENesis', the origin of everything.
Vocabulary
元気げんきhealthy, energetic
元日がんじつNew Year's Day
元々もともとoriginally, from the start
地元じもとlocal area, hometown
紀元きげんera, Christian era
Example Sentences
田中さんはいつも元気です。
Mr. Tanaka is always energetic.
元日は家族と過ごします。
I spend New Year's Day with my family.
この家は元々お店でした。
This house was originally a shop.
本を元の場所に戻してください。
Please put the book back in its original place.