基本
きほん · kihon · JLPT N3 · noun
basis
🧱🌱 基本 = foundation + root: the base everything else grows from
基 (ki) means foundation or base, as in 基地 (base). 本 (hon) means root or origin; the character is a tree with a mark at its root. So the basics are the foundation and the root. Karate fans know kihon as the basic drills.
本 — tree 木 + mark at base
本 is a pictograph of a tree (木) with a stroke at its base, marking the roots. From this 'root' meaning it extended to 'origin,' 'source,' and 'foundation.' In modern usage it also serves as a measure word for bound objects like books.