根 meaning and stroke order
Root; basis; classifier for long slender objects, e.g. cigarettes, guitar strings
How to write 根, stroke by stroke
10 strokes in order. Each box adds the next stroke in red. Write top to bottom and left to right, and finish enclosing strokes last.
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- 10
Meaning of 根
Definitions from CC-CEDICT, grouped by pronunciation.
- root
- basis
- classifier for long slender objects, e.g. cigarettes, guitar strings
- radical (chemistry)
How 根 is built
Phono-semantic (sound + meaning) character. Tree.
木 gives the meaning and 艮 hints at the sound.
Radical: 木 (tree), shared by 388 characters on this site.
How to remember 根
根 is pictophonetic: 木 (mù, tree) on the left gives the meaning, and 艮 (gèn) on the right gives the sound. Picture the part of a tree that sits below the surface and holds it steady, which is its root.
根 means root, both literally and in the sense of a basis or origin, and it appears in common words like 根本 (gēnběn, fundamental) and 根据 (gēnjù, according to). It is also a classifier for long, thin things such as cigarettes, strings, or sticks. Example: 我要一根筷子。(Wǒ yào yì gēn kuàizi.) I need one chopstick.
Common mistake: Learners often mix up 根 (gēn) with 跟 (gēn, with/follow) because they share 艮 and the same pronunciation. The tree radical 木 marks root, while the foot radical 足 marks following someone.
Common words with 根
Ordered by HSK level, then by how often they appear in everyday Chinese.
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 根本 | gēnběn | fundamental; basic | HSK 3 |
| 根据 | gēnjù | according to; based on | HSK 4 |
| 根源 | gēnyuán | origin; root (cause) | HSK 7-9 |
| 根基 | gēnjī | foundation | HSK 7-9 |
| 扎根 | zhāgēn | to take root | HSK 7-9 |
| 斩草除根 | zhǎncǎo-chúgēn | to cut weeds and eliminate the roots (idiom); to destroy root and branch; to eliminate com | HSK 7-9 |
| 根深蒂固 | gēnshēn-dìgù | deep-rooted (problem etc) | HSK 7-9 |
| 根治 | gēnzhì | to bring under permanent control; to effect a radical cure | HSK 7-9 |
| 归根到底 | guīgēn-dàodǐ | after all; in the final analysis | HSK 7-9 |
| 培根 | péigēn | (loanword) bacon | |
| 压根 | yàgēn | (mainly used in the negative) in the first place; absolutely; simply | |
| 根除 | gēnchú | to eradicate | |
| 树根 | shùgēn | tree roots | |
| 命根子 | mìnggēnzi | see 命根[ming4 gen1] |
根 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Questions about 根
How many strokes are in 根?
根 is written with 10 strokes. The diagrams on this page number every stroke in the order it is written, with the new stroke shown in red.
What does 根 mean?
根 (gēn) means root; basis; classifier for long slender objects, e.g. cigarettes, guitar strings. A common word with it is 根本 (gēnběn), meaning "fundamental; basic".
How do you pronounce 根?
根 is pronounced gēn, in the first tone (high and level).
What is the radical of 根?
The radical of 根 is 木, which carries the idea of "tree". Dictionaries list 根 under this radical.
Is 根 on the HSK exam?
Yes. 根 is part of the HSK 3 character list in the HSK 3.0 standard, and you are expected to write it by hand from HSK 3.
What is the difference between 根 and 条 as classifiers?
根 is used for thin, stick-like objects such as 一根烟 (yì gēn yān, a cigarette) or 一根头发 (yì gēn tóufa, a strand of hair). 条 is used for long things that are often flexible or extended, like 一条河 (yì tiáo hé, a river) or 一条裤子 (yì tiáo kùzi, a pair of pants).
How is 根本 used in a negative sentence?
Before a negative, 根本 means at all or simply, and it adds strong emphasis. For example, 我根本不知道。(Wǒ gēnběn bù zhīdào.) means I have no idea at all.