元（もと）: the basis for something

JLPT N3 Vocabulary in Japanese · Bebop Teacher Radio · Oct 17, 2026 · 5m

元（もと）means "the basis for something"; "where something comes from"; "the cause of something". JLPT N3. A short lesson about one Japanese word, taught in simple Japanese by 森 あや. Chapters 0:00 元 and its meanings 0:10 元 in everyday Japanese 4:20 Check 5:17 Recap Lessons matched to your level, with the words on screen as she speaks: https://bebopjapanese.com The teacher’s voice is made with AI. Dictionary data: JMdict by the Electronic Dictionary Research and Development Group (https://www.edrdg.org/edrdg/licence.html), used under CC BY-SA 4.0.