根
/kən⁵⁵/
The English word 'roots' can be translated into Chinese as 根.
根 can be used to refer to ancestors in a metaphorical sense. However, it is most commonly used in its literal sense to mean the roots of plants or the roots of a mathematical equation.
Meaning: ancestors (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 根 can mean 'ancestors', when you are referring specifically to the physical part of a plant, the term 根部 is often used to denote the 'root section' or 'root system'.
How do you pronounce it?
The IPA for 根 is /kən⁵⁵/.
Did you know?
- The word 根 can function as a measure word in certain contexts, such as when counting long, thin, cylindrical objects like carrots or hairs.
- The term 尋根 refers to the act of 'searching for roots' and became a significant intellectual and artistic movement in 20th century China to rediscover cultural identity.
- The word 根 may share a very ancient linguistic ancestor with words for 'tree' or 'trunk' in Austroasiatic languages like Khmer.
Examples in context
- 六月金龜子的幼蟲以植物根部為食。June beetle grubs feed on plant roots.This sentence is useful for showing how 根 refers to the roots of a plant.Tatoeba #13575733 by LeviHighway, translation #9995134 by Amastan
- 它是可靠的, 因為這個方程式所有的根都是負的。It's stable because all the roots of this equation are negative.This sentence demonstrates the use of 根 in a mathematical context.Tatoeba #777059 by Martha, translation #775764 by FeuDRenais2
- 尋根To search for one's ancestral rootsThis sentence shows the formal term 尋根 used to describe the act of searching for one's ancestral roots or origins.
- 科学家们正在研究气候变化的根源。Scientists are studying the roots of climate change.
- 我在北京长大，但我的本家是河南。I grew up in Beijing, but my roots are in Henan.
- 这幅画传达了中华文化的渊源。This painting conveys the roots of Chinese culture.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing their family history at a museum.
- 佳怡 Jiayi你知道我們家族的根在哪裡嗎？Nǐ zhīdào wǒmen jiāzú de gēn zài nǎlǐ ma?Do you know where our family's roots are?
- 浩然 Haoran據說我們的根在南方的一個小村莊。Jùshuō wǒmen de gēn zài nánfāng de yīgè xiǎo cūnzhuang.It is said our roots are in a small village in the south.
- 佳怡 Jiayi浩然，我想去那裡看看。Hàorán, wǒ xiǎng qù nàlǐ kànkan.Haoran, I want to go there and take a look.
- 浩然 Haoran我也很想了解我們的根。Wǒ yě hěn xiǎng liǎojiě wǒmen de gēn.I also really want to understand our roots.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 根, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 根, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
