gēnzi

根子

Word · Noun

root; origin; base

Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma

Meanings

2 senses · 7 examples
1.

noun

root; root system

informal

Specifically refers to the underground part of a plant that absorbs water and nutrients. Often used in colloquial speech.

Dà大
shù树
de的
gēn根
zi子
zhā扎
de得
hěn很
shēn深
 。

The big tree's roots go very deep.

Bǎ把
huā花
pén盆
lǐ里
de的
gēn根
zi子
dōu都
lù露
chū出
lái来
le了
 。

The roots in the flowerpot are all exposed.

Show 1 more example
Zhè这
kē棵
cǎo草
gēn根
zi子
huài坏
le了
 ，
suǒ所
yǐ以
yè叶
zi子
huáng黄
le了
 。

The root of this grass is rotten, so the leaves have turned yellow.

2.

noun

origin; root cause; foundation; basis

informal

Used metaphorically to refer to the fundamental source, cause, or basis of something.

Wèn问
tí题
de的
gēn根
zi子
zài在
yú于
guǎn管
lǐ理
hùn混
luàn乱
 。

The root of the problem lies in the chaotic management.

Wǒ我
men们
yào要
cóng从
gēn根
zi子
shang上
jiě解
jué决
zhè这
ge个
máo矛
dùn盾
 。

We need to resolve this conflict from its root.

Show 2 more examples
Tā他
shēng生
xìng性
lǎo老
shi实
 ，
gēn根
zi子
jiù就
hěn很
shàn善
liáng良
 。

He is honest by nature; his foundation is very kind.

Yáo谣
yán言
yě也
yǒu有
tā它
de的
gēn根
zi子
 ，
bú不
shì是
píng凭
kōng空
chū出
xiàn现
de的
 。

Rumors also have their origin; they don't appear out of thin air.