The Meaning of kihon [基本] In Japanese

基本
きほん
Romaji: kihon N5

What does 基本 mean?

Translation and Meaning

basis, foundation, basics, fundamentals

Definition

What does 基本 mean? It refers to the foundation or basis of something—the essential elements that support an idea, system, skill, or practice, providing the groundwork needed to understand or perform it.

Type

Noun (名詞)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • Core sense: foundation or basis of a concept, object, or procedure
  • Fundamental principles or elements that determine how something works
  • As a noun, the general notion of the basics; in compounds or fixed phrases it forms common terms like 基本方針, 基本原理
  • As a modifier in 基本的に, it yields the sense ‘basically’ or ‘essentially’

Etymology

on’yomi ki, hon; kun’yomi moto combined to form kihon; the characters separately mean base/foundation and origin/root; the compound uses the on’yomi readings to give a Sino-Japanese term for foundation or basis.

Composition

  • 基: base, foundation; on’yomi ki, kun’yomi moto
  • 本: origin, root; on’yomi hon, kun’yomi moto

Usage

Used as a noun to denote the foundation or core of a concept, system, or activity. In formal writing and education it appears to define essential principles or prerequisites; in everyday speech it can mean ‘basically’ when paired with 基本的に. Common uses include 基本方針 and 基本原理; 基本的に expresses a general or essential stance, often preceding the main point or rule.
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: picture a sturdy base (基) supporting a root/origin (本); the sight of a solid base helping everything rise makes you remember that kihon means the foundation or basics.

Variations

  • 基礎 (kiso) — foundation, groundwork
  • 根本 (konpon) — base, essential
  • 基本的 (kihonteki) — basic, fundamental

Example Phrases

  • 日常の 基本 を しっかり 押さえれば 作業 は 早く 進む。
    Nichijō no kihon o shikkari osaereba, sagyō wa hayaku susumu.
    If you firmly master the basics of daily life, your work will progress quickly.
    Lista:
    • 日常の (nichijō no) – of daily life
    • 基本 (kihon) – basics
    • を (wo) – object marker
    • しっかり (shikkari) – firmly
    • 押さえれば (osaereba) – if you grasp
    • 作業 (sagyō) – work
    • は (wa) – topic marker
    • 早く (hayaku) – quickly
    • 進む (susumu) – progress
    In this sentence, 「基本」 means ‘basics’ and is used with を押さえる to mean ‘to master the basics’.
基本