Japanese word

根本

Pronunciation

Romajikonpon

Meaning

  • nounroot

Example

問題の根本を考えます。mon dai no kon pon o kanga e ma su

I think about the root of the problem.

Illustration for 根本 (root)

More examples

根本を見直さないと、同じ問題を繰り返します。kon pon o mi nao sa na i to ona ji mon dai o ku ri kae shi ma su

If we do not address the root, we will repeat the same problem.

Core concept

Points to the underlying base from which a thing develops or a problem arises.

Common phrases

  • 問題の根本mon dai no kon pon

    the root of a problem

  • 根本を見直すkon pon o mi nao su

    reconsider the fundamentals

Similar words

原因genin: A factor that makes an event or situation happen.
根源kongen: The original source from which something begins or develops.
基本kihon: The simplest and most essential basis for further development.

Definition in Japanese

物事が成り立つもととなるものや、表面に現れた問題を生じさせる中心的な原因。mono goto ga na ri ta tsu mo to to na ru mo no ya hyō men ni arawa re ta mon dai o shō ji sa se ru chū shin teki na gen in

Word origin

根本 (konpon) is a Sino-Japanese compound of 根 (kon, "root") and 本 (hon, "base"), linking a physical root with the base or source of a matter.

Usage tips

  • In English, root cause is a common phrase for the deepest cause of a problem, much like 根本 (konpon) in discussions of why something happens.

Other meanings

  • basisnoun
  • sourcenoun

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word