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Japanese to English Dictionary

元

moto, gen, gan

Description

「元」は、前にそうだった時や、物事のはじめを表す言葉です。

"元" is a word that indicates a previous state or the beginning of something.

「元カレ」や「元気」のように、いろいろな言葉に使われます。

"元" is used in various words like "元カレ" (ex-boyfriend) and "元気" (healthy).

Meanings

元moto

origin; source; beginning; base

この話には元がある。

This story has an origin.

元moto

former; ex-; previous

彼は元先生です。

He is a former teacher.

元moto

originally; from the start

元はここに川があった。

There used to be a river here.

Related words

Notes

  • Reading

    read "moto" alone, but "gen"/"gan" in compounds like 元気 (genki) or 元日 (ganjitsu).

  • Nuance

    元 as "former" attaches directly before a noun, e.g. 元社長, 元妻.

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