素
もと
元本基
[moto]
Meanings
1.Noun
origin; source; beginning
2.Noun
basis; base; foundation; root
3.Noun
cause
4.Noun
(raw) material; ingredient; base; mix (e.g. for a cake); (soup) stock
5.Noun
(one's) side
6.Noun
capital; principal; cost price
7.Noun
root (of a plant); (tree) trunk
8.Noun
part (of a brush, chopsticks, etc.) one holds (with the hand)
9.Counter
counter for plants or trees
Less common meanings (2)
10.NounJargon
first three lines of a waka
11.CounterHistorical
counter for falcons (in falconry)
Other Readings
「素」 has other readings with different meanings.
Examples
彼女の素顔はテレビで見るより可愛い。
Her bare face is cuter than she looks on TV.
料理は素材の味を生かすことが大切だ。
In cooking, it's important to bring out the taste of ingredients.
彼は素のままの自分を見せてくれた。
He showed me his true self.