根 (gēn) - Meaning, Stroke Order, Words & Examples

Q: What does 根 (gēn) mean in Chinese?

The Chinese character 根 (gēn) means "Root; Base; Measure word for long thin objects". It is an HSK Level 3 character, with 10 strokes and the radical 木.

Q: How do you write 根 stroke by stroke?

根 has 10 strokes. The radical is 木. Follow the standard stroke order: top to bottom, left to right, outside before inside. Practice with stroke animation to build muscle memory.

Q: What's the difference between 根 and 杪?

根 (gēn) and 杪 look similar but differ in meaning and usage. Check the radical and stroke count to tell them apart.

Q: What mistakes do learners make writing 根?

Common mistake: incorrect stroke order or miswriting the radical 木. Pay attention to the proportion between components — keep the radical compact.

Q: What common words use 根?

Common words containing 根 include: 根本 (gēn běn) — Fundamental; At all; Root; 树根 (shù gēn) — Tree root; 一根绳子 (yī gēn shéng zi) — a rope; a piece of string.

How to Write 根

The character 根 (gēn) is written with 10 strokes. Follow the standard Chinese stroke order: top to bottom, left to right, outside before inside. The radical 木 is one of its key components.

Practice the correct stroke order with the Hanzi Writer app to see animated stroke-by-stroke guidance with real-time feedback.

Meaning & Pronunciation

根 is pronounced gēn in Mandarin Chinese. It means Root; Base; Measure word for long thin objects.

As an HSK Level 3 character, 根 is an intermediate-level character.

Common Words with 根

根本 gēn běn

Fundamental; At all; Root

树根 shù gēn

Tree root

一根绳子 yī gēn shéng zi

a rope; a piece of string

Example Sentences

我根本不知道这件事。

wǒ gēn běn bù zhī dào zhè jiàn shì

I have no idea about this at all.

树根长得很深。

shù gēn zhǎng dé hěn shēn

The tree roots grow very deep.

请给我一根绳子。

qǐng gěi wǒ yī gēn shéng zi

Please give me a piece of rope.

Similar Characters

杪 miǎo

杭 háng

杯 bēi

Practice Writing 根 (gēn)

Open Hanzi Writer to see the animated stroke order and practice writing 根 with real-time feedback.

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Frequently Asked Questions about 根

What does 根 (gēn) mean in Chinese?

How do you write 根 stroke by stroke?

What's the difference between 根 and 杪?

What mistakes do learners make writing 根?

What common words use 根?

How to Write 根 (gēn)