素(もと)

もと

noun

base; mix; starting material

1. base; mix; starting material

An ingredient, mix, or concentrate that serves as the base for making something else. Especially common in food product names like だしの素(もと) (dashi base) or ラーメンの素(もと) (ramen base).

だしの素(もと)を使(つか)う。

I use dashi base.

お好(この)み焼(や)きの素(もと)を買(か)ってきた。

I bought okonomiyaki mix.

鍋(なべ)の素(もと)を使(つか)えば、家(いえ)でも簡単(かんたん)に本格的(ほんかくてき)な味(あじ)が楽(たの)しめる。

If you use a hot-pot base, you can easily enjoy an authentic taste at home.

素(もと) as a base/mix is almost always written with the kanji 素(もと) and attaches with の to the name of the dish: dishの素(もと) = "dish base." Often sold as a powder, paste, or concentrate.

Common collocations

だしの素(もと): dashi base
お好(この)み焼(や)きの素(もと): okonomiyaki mix
カレーの素(もと): curry base/mix
鍋(なべ)の素(もと): hot-pot base
唐揚(からあ)げの素(もと): karaage seasoning mix

Watch out

元(もと): origin; former — different kanji, different meaning
基(もと): basis, foundation — abstract grounding (に基(もと)づく)

Related Words

Related: 元(もと) (origin; former (homophone))

general

Added 2026.6.4 13:07 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

28500/28734_moto