Meaning of 根本
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- fundamental
- basic
- root
- simply
- absolutely (not)
- (not) at all
Measure word: 個|个
How to use 根本
As an adverb, 根本 is most often used with a negative to mean "not at all" or "simply not", adding strong emphasis. It can also be an adjective or noun meaning "fundamental" or "the root" of a problem. Example: 我根本不认识他。(Wǒ gēnběn bù rènshi tā.) I don't know him at all.
根 (gēn) means the root of a tree, and 本 (běn) also points to a tree's root or base. Two words for "root" together give you the idea of something at the very bottom, the most fundamental part.
Common mistake: Learners often confuse 根本 with 基本 (jīběn). 基本上 means "basically, on the whole", while 根本 with a negative means "not at all", so 我基本上不知道 and 我根本不知道 mean quite different things.
根本 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
根 gēn · root · 10 strokes
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- 10
本 běn · root · 5 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 根本.
| 本子 | běnzi | book; notebook |
| 课本 | kèběn | textbook |
| 笔记本 | bǐjìběn | notebook (stationery) (CL:本[ben3]); (computing) laptop; notebook (abbr. for 筆記本電腦|笔记本电脑[bi |
| 本来 | běnlái | original; originally |
| 基本 | jīběn | basic; fundamental |
| 基本上 | jīběnshàng | basically; on the whole |
| 本事 | běnshi | source material; original story |
| 本领 | běnlǐng | skill; ability |
| 根据 | gēnjù | according to; based on |
| 本科 | běnkē | undergraduate course; undergraduate (attributive) |
| 本人 | běnrén | I; me; myself; oneself; yourself; himself; herself; the person concerned |
| 剧本 | jùběn | script; screenplay; scenario; libretto |
Questions about 根本
What does 根本 mean?
根本 (gēnběn) means "fundamental; basic" and is used as a adverb, adjective and noun.
How do you write 根本?
根本 is made of 2 characters: 根 (10 strokes), 本 (5 strokes). That is 15 strokes in total.
Is 根本 an HSK word?
Yes. 根本 is on the HSK 3 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
Can 根本 be used in positive sentences?
As an adverb it is mostly used with negatives like 不 or 没. In positive sentences it usually works as an adjective or noun, as in 根本问题 (gēnběn wèntí) "the fundamental problem" or 解决根本 "solve it at the root".
What is the difference between 根本 and 完全 when saying "not at all"?
Both can intensify a negative, but 根本 sounds stronger and often carries frustration or denial, like "I never even...". 完全不 (wánquán bù) is more neutral and simply means "completely not".