Chinese word

根源

Pronunciation

Pinyingēn yuán

Meaning

  • nounroot cause

Example

问题的根源在于沟通不良。wèn tí de gēn yuán zài yú gōu tōng bù liáng

The root cause of the problem is poor communication.

Illustration for 根源 (root cause)

More examples

追溯根源有助于预防类似事件再次发生。zhuī sù gēn yuán yǒu zhù yú yù fáng lèi sì shì jiàn zài cì fā shēng

Tracing the root cause helps prevent similar events from happening again.

Core concept

The concealed point where a problem takes root and its course begins.

Common phrases

  • 追溯根源zhuī sù gēn yuán

    trace the root cause

  • 找到根源zhǎo dào gēn yuán

    find the root cause

  • 根源在于gēn yuán zài yú

    the root cause lies in

Similar words

原因yuán yīn: A reason or factor that causes a result or event.
根本gēn běn: The fundamental basis or underlying cause of a problem or phenomenon.
源头yuán tóu: The starting point or source from which an event or problem arises.

Definition in Chinese

某种现象或问题产生的起始处或本质原因，常指隐蔽且根本的因素。móu zhǒng xiàn xiàng huò wèn tí chǎn shēng de qí shǐ chù huò běn zhì yuán yīn cháng zhǐ yǐn bì qiě gēn běn de yīn sù

Word origin

根 (gēn, "root") + 源 (yuán, "source") combine the image of a supporting root with that of a source, extending it to the beginning or deepest basis of something.

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, it sounds analytical and somewhat formal, so it fits discussions of recurring problems, systems, and social issues better than casual talk about a small mishap.

Other meanings

  • originnoun
  • rootnoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word