1.
root (of a plant)
The part of a plant that grows underground, absorbing water and nutrients.
根が出てきた。
Roots have started to come out.
この木は根が深い。
This tree has deep roots.
花の根に水をやった。
I watered the roots of the flowers.
台風で木が根から倒れた。
The tree fell from the roots in the typhoon.
雑草は根から抜かないと、また生えてくる。
If you don't pull weeds out by the roots, they'll grow back.
2.
root, basis, foundation
The fundamental cause or source of something; the core or essence.
問題の根を探る。
To search for the root of the problem.
彼は根は優しい人だ。
He's a kind person at heart.
根は〜 = at heart, fundamentally
根も葉もない噂を信じてはいけない。
You shouldn't believe groundless rumors.
根も葉もない = groundless, baseless
根から話を聞いて、本当の原因を見つけよう。
Let's listen from the root of the matter and find the real cause.
根から = from the root, fundamentally
この問題は根が深いので、簡単には解決できない。
This problem is deep-rooted, so it can't be easily resolved.
USAGE: 根 refers to both literal plant roots and figurative foundations/causes. It's used in many idiomatic expressions.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 根が深い (deep-rooted)
- 根を張る (to take root)
- 根から (from the root, fundamentally)
- 根も葉もない (groundless, baseless)
- 根は (at heart, fundamentally)
COMMON COMPOUNDS:
- 根性 (nature, disposition)
- 根気 (perseverance, patience)
- 根元 (root, base)
- 根拠 (basis, grounds)
- 大根 (daikon radish)
- 屋根 (roof)
IDIOMS:
- 根も葉もない噂 (groundless rumor)