The Kanji: 原 (Gen / Hara)
The kanji 原 means "field," "plain," "origin," or "source." It combines 厂 (cliff) with 泉 (spring), originally depicting a spring emerging at the base of a cliff - the source of a river. This character represents both natural landscapes and fundamental beginnings.
Common Words & Example Sentences
1. 原因 (gen'in) - Cause
事故の原因を調べる。
"Investigate the cause of the accident."
2. 草原 (sōgen) - Grassland
草原を馬が駆ける。
"Horses run through the grassland."
3. 原稿 (genkō) - Manuscript
小説の原稿を書く。
"Write a novel manuscript."
4. 原子 (genshi) - Atom
原子の構造を研究する。
"Study atomic structure."
In summary, 原 describes fundamental elements - from causal origins (原因) and natural landscapes (草原) to creative sources (原稿) and basic matter (原子). It connects the concepts of origin and foundation.