(もと)づく

もとづく
godan verb
to be based on
1. to be based on, to be grounded on
To have something as a foundation or basis.
事実(じじつ)(もと)づく(はなし)
A story based on facts
法律(ほうりつ)(もと)づいて判断(はんだん)する。
To judge based on the law.
経験(けいけん)(もと)づいて判断(はんだん)することが大切(たいせつ)だ。
It's important to make judgments based on experience.

(もと)づく means to be based on or grounded in something. Always takes the particle に.

TRANSITIVITY:
Intransitive verb (the basis takes に particle).

CONJUGATION (godan く-verb):

  • (もと)づかない (negative)
  • (もと)づきます (polite)
  • (もと)づいた (past)
  • (もと)づいて (te-form)

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • 〜に(もと)づく: based on ~
  • 〜に(もと)づいて: based on ~ (te-form, adverbial)
  • 〜に(もと)づいた: based on ~ (attributive)
  • 事実(じじつ)(もと)づく: based on facts
  • 法律(ほうりつ)(もと)づいて: based on the law
  • 経験(けいけん)(もと)づく: based on experience

WORD FORMATION:
(もと) (base, foundation) + づく (to attach to)

SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS:

  • 〜を(もと)にする: to use ~ as a basis (more flexible)
  • 〜を()まえる: to take ~ into consideration
  • 〜に(のっと)る: to follow, conform to (more formal)