基

foundation

JLPT N1 Grade 5 11 strokes

Kun'yomi: もと・もとい
On'yomi: キ
Radical: 土 · earth (earth, soil, ground)

基 means "foundation". It is a JLPT N1 kanji written in 11 strokes. It is read もと・もとい in native Japanese words (kun'yomi) and キ in compounds (on'yomi). Japanese schoolchildren learn it in grade 5.

Stroke order & writing

Stroke-order and animation sources are on our credits page.

基 in example sentences

これが基本きほんよ。
Kore ga kihon yo.
This is basic.
これは基本きほんです。
Kore wa kihon desu.
This is basic.
まずは基本きほんから。
Mazu wa kihon kara.
Start with the basics.

Example sentences from the Tatoeba Project, CC-BY 2.0 FR, licensed for reuse.

Words that use 基

More 土 (earth) kanji

Common questions

What does the kanji 基 mean?: 基 means "foundation". It is a JLPT N1 kanji.
How many strokes does 基 have?: 基 is written in 11 strokes.
How is 基 read?: It is read もと・もとい in native Japanese words (kun'yomi) and キ in compounds (on'yomi).
What JLPT level is 基?: 基 is a JLPT N1 kanji.

Explore on the kanji map → Practice kanji