根 gēn — root; basis · English

根

gēn

root; basis

At a glance · 根

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Evolution of the glyph

Five stages, from a sketch of the real object to regular script — tap a stage, drag the timeline, or play the animation.

Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seen
Oracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCE
Seal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCE
Clerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CE
Regular scriptWei–Jin to Tang · c. 3rd–9th century CE

Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seenOracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCESeal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCEClerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CERegular scriptWei–Jin to Tang · c. 3rd–9th century CE

⚠ Some ancient forms are not attested：oracle bone form、seal script form。No excavated oracle bone / seal artifact is attested for this character yet; we leave it blank rather than fabricate.

小篆从木，艮声，本义为植物根部。隶楷沿用，形声清晰。

What the sketch shows

Origins & notes

本义为草木之根，引申为本源、基础。

Structure

形声字，从木（意符），艮（gèn）为声符。

At a glance

Pinyingēn

Radical木

Strokes10

UnicodeU+6839

Character type形声

Theme植物

Six languages, one character

Each page offers hreflang versions; switching language keeps the glyphs and meanings aligned.

English root; basis The root of a plant; also basis.

Français racine; base La racine d’une plante ; aussi la base.

Español raíz; base La raíz de una planta; también la base.

العربية جذر؛ أساس جذر النبات؛ ويُستعار للأساس.

Русский корень; основа Корень растения; также основа.

Common words

根本gēn běnroot
根gēnroot

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