← Kanji module
N4 · 4 strokes · — · Irodori #101 · Elementary 1 L1
元
beginning, former time, origin
Stroke diagrams © KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0).
Readings
- On’yomi
- ガン、ゲン
- Kun’yomi
- もと
Example words
元
もと
origin; source
元
もと
former; ex-
元
げん
unknown (e.g. in an equation)
元
ユアン
yuan (monetary unit of China)
Memory aids
Guided learn session →How to remember
Shape
A compact 4-stroke character meaning "beginning" — trace the strokes while picturing the concept.
Components
Remember "beginning" (元) by connecting it to its Irodori vocabulary context.
Anchor word
元気（な） (げんき（な）) — your first meeting with this kanji in Irodori.
Readings
First learned in 元気（な） (げんき（な）) — recall the word to unlock the reading. Kun'yomi: もと — often used in native Japanese words. On'yomi: ガン、ゲン — common in compound words (熟語).