Japanese word

原形

Pronunciation

Romajigenkei

Meaning

  • nounbase form

Example

この動詞の原形は何ですか。ko no dō shi no gen kei wa nan de su ka

What is the base form of this verb?

Illustration for 原形 (base form)

More examples

過去形を見て、その動詞の原形を書きます。ka ko katachi o mi te so no dō shi no gen kei o ka ki ma su

Look at the past tense and write the base form of the verb.

Core concept

Identifies the starting form of a word before grammar changes it for a particular use.

Common phrases

  • 動詞の原形dō shi no gen kei

    base form of a verb

  • 原形に直すgen kei ni nao su

    change to the base form

  • 原形を書くgen kei o ka ku

    write the base form

Similar words

基本形kihonkei: The unchanged form that serves as the starting point for grammatical changes.
辞書形jishokei: The form listed in a dictionary, especially the plain nonpast form of a verb.

Definition in Japanese

動詞などが活用していない、もとの形。dō shi na do ga katsu yō shi te i na i mo to no katachi

Word origin

原形 (genkei) combines 原 (gen, "origin") and 形 (kei, "form"), expressing the form that serves as the original basis.

Usage tips

  • English grammar also calls go the base form in go, goes, and went, making base form a useful parallel for understanding 原形 (genkei).

Other meanings

  • original formnoun

Word lists with this word