Translation and Meaning of: 原 - gen
The Japanese word 原 [げん, gen] is a fascinating term that carries deep meanings and cultural connections. If you are looking to understand its meaning, origin, or how to use it in everyday life, this article will explore all of that in a clear and practical way. Additionally, we will see how this word appears in everyday contexts and its importance in the Japanese language. Whether for study or curiosity, discover here at Suki Nihongo, the best Japanese dictionary, everything about 原.
Meaning and origin of 原 [げん]
The kanji 原 is composed of the radicals 厂 (cliff) and 泉 (spring), suggesting the idea of a "natural source" or "origin". Its main meanings are "field", "plateau" or "original", depending on the context. This word is present in such as 原因 [げんいん, gen'in] (cause) and 原料 [げんりょう, genryou] (raw material), demonstrating its versatility.
In the Japanese language, 原 is often used in compound words to indicate something fundamental or unprocessed. Its origin dates back to ancient Chinese, where it also represented flat and vast lands. Over time, its use expanded to include abstract concepts such as "originality" and "essence."
Everyday use and practical examples
In daily life, 原 appears in various expressions. For example, 原稿 [げんこう, genkou] means "draft" or "manuscript," while 原子 [げんし, genshi] refers to "atom." These show how the word can be applied in both concrete and scientific contexts.
Another common use is in place names, such as 原宿 [はらじゅく, Harajuku], a famous neighborhood in Tokyo. Here, the kanji 原 takes on the meaning of "open field," reflecting the history of the area. This type of application helps to understand how language and geography intertwine in Japan.
Trivia and memorization tips
An effective way to memorize 原 is to associate it with images of vast fields or plains, as this is one of its primary meanings. Furthermore, observing its use in compound words, such as 原案 [げんあん, gen'an] (original proposal), can reinforce your learning.
An interesting fact is that 原 also appears in people's names, such as 原田 [はらだ, Harada], a common surname in Japan. This demonstrates how kanji is rooted in Japanese culture, both in everyday language and in people's identity.
Vocabulary
Expand your vocabulary with related words:
Synonyms and similar words
- 根 (ne) - Source
- 元素 (genso) - Element
- 原点 (genten) - Point of origin
- 原形 (genkei) - original form
- 原料 (genryou) - raw material
- 原因 (gen'in) - cause
- 原稿 (genkou) - Manuscript
- 原則 (gensoku) - Principle
- 原理 (genri) - Basic principle
- 原子 (genshi) - atom
- 原色 (genshoku) - Primary color
- 原始 (genshi) - Primitivo
- 原産 (gensan) - Origin (of production)
- 原書 (gensho) - Texto original
- 原罪 (genzai) - Original sin
- 原画 (genga) - Original drawing
- 原版 (genban) - Original version
- 原案 (gen'an) - Original project
- 原価 (genka) - Original cost
- 原型 (genkei) - Original model
- 原爆 (genbaku) - Atomic bomb
- 原地 (gendi) - Place of origin
- 原点回帰 (genten kaiki) - Return to the starting point
- 原音 (gen'on) - Som original
- 原始人 (genshijin) - Primitive man
- 原産国 (gensankoku) - Country of origin
- 原産地 (gensanchi) - Place of origin
- 原始的 (genshit teki) - Primitive, rudimentary
- 原子力 (genshiryoku) - Nuclear energy
- 原子爆弾 (genshi bakudan) - Atomic bomb
- 原子核 (genshi kaku) - Atomic nucleus
- 原子番号 (genshi bangō) - Atomic number
- 原子力発電 (genshiryoku hatsudengen) - Nuclear power generation
- 原子力エネルギ (genshiryoku enerugi) - Nuclear energy
Related words
Romaji: gen
Kana: げん
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3
Translation / Meaning: original; primitive; primary; fundamental; brute
Meaning in English: original;primitive;primary;fundamental;raw
Definition: The origin and fundamental elements of things.
Quick Access
- Vocabulary
- Writing
- Sentences
How to Write in Japanese - (原) gen
See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese. (原) gen:
Example Sentences - (原) gen
See below some example sentences:
Takahara ni wa utsukushii shizen ga takusan arimasu
There is a lot of beautiful nature on the plateau.
- 高原 - plateau
- には - indicates the location of the phrase
- 美しい - beautiful
- 自然 - nature
- が - subject particle
- たくさん - many
- あります - exists
Kabi kin wa shokuhin no fuhai no gen'in ni narimasu
Fungi are the cause of food spoilage.
Bacteria can cause food corruption.
- 黴菌 - Mushroom
- は - Topic particle
- 食品 - food
- の - Possessive particle
- 腐敗 - Decomposition
- の - Possessive particle
- 原因 - cause
- に - Destination particle
- なります - becomes
Harappa de asobu no wa tanoshii desu
It's fun to play in the field.
It's fun to play with the field.
- 原っぱ (harappa) - open field, vacant lot
- で (de) - Particle that indicates the place where the action occurs
- 遊ぶ (asobu) - play, have fun
- のは (no wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
- 楽しい (tanoshii) - Fun, pleasant
- です (desu) - verb to be in the polite form
Gensoku ni shitagatte koudou suru
Act according to principles.
Act on principle.
- 原則 (gensoku) - principle, fundamental rule
- に (ni) - particle of indication of location or time
- 従って (shitagatte) - following, according to
- 行動 (koudou) - action, behavior
- する (suru) - verb "to do"
Gembaku wa jinrui ni totte ookina higeki desu
The atomic bomb is a great tragedy for humanity.
The atomic bomb is a great tragedy for humanity.
- 原爆 (genbaku) - Atomic bomb
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- 人類 (jinrui) - humanity
- にとって (ni totte) - For
- 大きな (ookina) - great
- 悲劇 (higeki) - tragedy
- です (desu) - is
Kono genkou wa mada kansei shiteimasen
This manuscript is not yet complete.
This manuscript has not yet been completed.
- この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
- 原稿 - noun that means "manuscript" or "draft"
- は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
- まだ - adverb that means "still" or "not... yet"
- 完成 - noun that means "conclusion" or "finalization"
- して - verb form of the verb "suru" (to do) in the gerund
- いません - negative form of the verb "aru" (to exist) in the present
Kono anime wa gensaku ni chūjitsu desu
This anime is faithful to the original.
- この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
- アニメ - noun meaning "animation"
- は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
- 原作 - noun meaning "original work" or "source"
- に - particle that indicates action or destination
- 忠実 - adjective meaning "faithful" or "loyal"
- です - Verb "to be" in polite form
- . - period indicating the end of the sentence
Kono seihin wa Nihon gensan desu
This product is of Japanese origin.
This product is native to Japan.
- この製品 - This product
- は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
- 日本 - Japan
- 原産 - Origin, production
- です - Verb to be in the polite form
Tanjitsu no gen'in ga tokutei sarete inai
The single cause has not been identified.
- 単一の - means "unique" or "singular" in Japanese.
- 原因 - means "cause" or "reason" in Japanese.
- が - It is a Japanese particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
- 特定されていない - is a verb in the negative ive form that means "has not been identified" or "has not been determined" in Japanese.
Genten wa kodai no juuyou na bunsho desu
The original is an important document from ancient times.
- 原典 (genten) - means "original text" or "primary source" in Japanese
- は (wa) - Japanese topic particle
- 古代 (kodai) - It means "ancient" or "primitive" in Japanese.
- の (no) - Possession particle in Japanese
- 重要な (juuyouna) - means "important" in Japanese, followed by the adjective particle な (na)
- 文書 (bunsho) - It means "document" or "written" in Japanese.
- です (desu) - polite way to be/act in Japanese
Other Words of this Type: noun
See other words from our dictionary that are also: noun
