Explore 根 in plant roots and in ideas such as foundations and evidence.
The idea
根 has 10 strokes; follow the linked diagram. Read 根（ね）, 根元（ねもと）, 根本（こんぽん） and 根拠（こんきょ） as whole words. 根気（こんき） expresses perseverance.
Examples
- 木の根が地面の深くまで広がっています。The roots of this tree spread deep into the ground.
- 植物の根元に水をあげてください。Please water the plant at its roots.
- 問題を根本から考え直す必要があります。We need to reconsider the problem from the ground up.
- その結論の根拠を説明してください。Please explain the evidence for that conclusion.
- この習慣は地域に根づいています。This custom has taken root in the community.
- 彼は根気よく研究を続けました。He patiently continued his research.
Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.
No Japanese device voice is available. You can still read the text and use the linked listening resources.
Watch out
根元 is the base of a plant or object; 根本 is a fundamental basis. 根拠 is evidence or grounds for a claim, not a physical root.
Try it yourself
Write the reading of 根元 in hiragana.
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ねもと
根元 is ねもと: water the plant at its base.
Write the reading of 根拠 in hiragana.
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こんきょ
根拠 is こんきょ: it means the grounds for a conclusion.
Choose the missing kanji: ＿本（こんぽん）［根／限］.
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根
根 completes 根本（こんぽん）, a foundation or root cause.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Japanese sentences where available. We keep your score.
Write the reading of 根元 in hiragana.
Write the reading of 根拠 in hiragana.
Choose the missing kanji: ＿本（こんぽん）［根／限］.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Write 根 using the diagram, then cover the readings and make a sentence with 根拠.