Chinese word

基本

Pronunciation

Pinyinjī běn

Meaning

  • adjectivebasic

Example

这是一个基本的问题。zhè shì yí gè jī běn de wèn tí

This is a basic problem.

Illustration for 基本 (basic)

More examples

学生应该掌握基本知识。xué shēng yīng gāi zhǎng wò jī běn zhī shí

Students should master basic knowledge.

Core concept

The underlying point or standard that supports a subject, guides judgment, and covers what is generally true.

Common phrases

  • 基本要求jī běn yāo qiú

    basic requirements

  • 基本概念jī běn gài niàn

    basic concepts

  • 基本结构jī běn jié gòu

    basic structure

Similar words

主要zhǔ yào: Being at the center of something as its main or most important part.
重要zhòng yào: Being important because of a strong effect or high value.
必要bì yào: Being required for a particular purpose or result.
根本gēn běn: Concerned with the underlying cause or foundation of a matter.

Definition in Chinese

表示某事在整体中占主要或普遍的状态，也可指作为判断或处理的标准或出发点。biǎo shì mǒu shì zài zhéng tǐ zhōng zhàn zhǔ yào huò pǔ biàn de zhuàng tài yě kě zhǐ zuò wéi pàn duàn huò chú lǐ de biāo zhǔn huò chū fā diǎn

Word origin

基本 (jīběn, "basic") is formed from 基 (jī, "foundation") + 本 (běn, "root"), linking a foundation with the essential starting point of a matter.

Usage tips

  • English speakers may hear this idea as only elementary, but everyday Chinese also uses it to frame a broad generalization that holds in most cases.

Other meanings

  • basicsnoun
  • basicallyadverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word