A1 noun Neutral #3,687 most common

ne /ne/

The underground part of a plant that absorbs water and nutrients. Figuratively, it refers to the origin, source, or a person's fundamental character/nature.

Examples

3 of 5
1

この花の根はとても長いです。

The roots of this flower are very long.

2

植物は根から水と栄養を吸収します。

Plants absorb water and nutrients from their roots.

3

彼は根はいい人だよ。

He is a good person at heart.

Word Family

Noun
Verb
根付く
Adverb
根本的に
Adjective
根強い
Related
根っこ
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Memory Tip

The kanji for 'ne' (根) has 'tree' (木) on the left. The right side shows a 'limit' (艮), suggesting the part of the tree that stays below the ground limit.

Quick Quiz

雑草は( )から抜かなければなりません。

Correct!

The correct answer is:

Examples

1

この花の根はとても長いです。

everyday

The roots of this flower are very long.

2

植物は根から水と栄養を吸収します。

formal

Plants absorb water and nutrients from their roots.

3

彼は根はいい人だよ。

informal

He is a good person at heart.

4

樹木の根の広がりは、枝の広がりに比例する。

academic

The spread of a tree's roots is proportional to the spread of its branches.

5

問題の根は、コミュニケーションの不足にあります。

business

The root of the problem lies in the lack of communication.

Word Family

Noun
Verb
根付く
Adverb
根本的に
Adjective
根強い
Related
根っこ

Common Collocations

根が深い deep-rooted (problem/issue)
根を張る to take root
根から抜く to pull out from the root
根を下ろす to settle down / take root
根がいい to be good-natured at heart

Common Phrases

根も葉もない

completely groundless / baseless (rumors)

根に持つ

to hold a grudge

根気

perseverance / patience

Often Confused With

vs

Pronounced the same (ne), but means 'sound' or 'tone'.

vs

Pronounced the same (ne), but means 'price' or 'value'.

📝

Usage Notes

Use 'ne' when talking about physical plant roots or a person's true essence. When referring to the physical stump or a tangible root you can hold, 'nekko' is often used colloquially.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse the kunyomi 'ne' with the onyomi 'kon' found in words like 'konpon' (fundamental). Be careful with the context to determine if it means a plant part or a personality trait.

💡

Memory Tip

The kanji for 'ne' (根) has 'tree' (木) on the left. The right side shows a 'limit' (艮), suggesting the part of the tree that stays below the ground limit.

📖

Word Origin

From Old Japanese 'ne', originally indicating the base or bottom part of any object, later specialized for plants.

Grammar Patterns

Usually functions as a standalone noun followed by particles (根が, 根を). Commonly used in the '根は + [adjective]' pattern to describe character.
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Cultural Context

In Japan, judging someone by their 'ne' (true nature) is considered more important than judging their outward behavior or 'tatemae'.

Quick Quiz

雑草は( )から抜かなければなりません。

Correct!

The correct answer is:

Related Words

unknown

A1

A student attending a university or college for higher education. In Japan, it specifically refers to undergraduate students in a four-year university or a two-year junior college.

革命

A1

A fundamental and sudden change in political power or social structure, often involving a shift in governance. It also refers to a major, transformative shift in technology, thought, or a specific field that completely alters how things are done.

維持

A1

The act of keeping something in its current state, condition, or level over a period of time. It is commonly used to describe the maintenance of health, systems, relationships, or the status quo.

縮小

A1

The act of reducing the size, scale, or scope of something. It is commonly used when talking about downsizing operations, shrinking digital images, or narrowing the range of a project.

契約

A1

A legally binding agreement between two or more parties that specifies terms and conditions. It is commonly used for mobile phones, apartment rentals, and employment agreements.

取引

A1

A transaction or business deal involving the exchange of money, goods, or services. It refers to the process of doing business with another party or making a trade.

借金

A1

A sum of money that is borrowed from a person or an institution and is expected to be paid back. It refers to the state of owing money or the specific amount of debt accumulated.

予算

A1

A budget or an estimate of the amount of money available for a specific purpose. It refers to the financial plan or limit set before spending occurs in personal, business, or government contexts.

賃金

A1

Chingin refers to the money paid to a worker in exchange for labor or services, similar to wages. It is frequently used in formal, legal, and economic contexts, particularly when discussing minimum wage or labor statistics.

降格

A1

A noun or verb that describes a reduction in rank, status, or position within an organization or sports league. It is most commonly used when a worker is moved to a lower job title or when a sports team is moved to a lower division due to poor performance.

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