根本

gēn běn

HSK 2.0 Level 5 HSK 3.0 Level 5 Noun Very common

Definitions

1. fundamental
2. basic
3. root
4. simply
5. absolutely (not)
6. (not) at all

Word relationships

Related words

2 items

• 完全 wán quán 完全 wán quán complete; whole used to mean completely, but different usage pattern: complete; whole
• 彻底 chè dǐ 彻底 chè dǐ thorough meaning thorough or completely, often with change: thorough

Synonyms

1 item

• 基本 jī běn 基本 jī běn basic used as an adjective meaning fundamental or basic: basic

Usage notes

Common mistakes

根本 is used in negative sentences to mean 'not at all', e.g., 我根本不知道 (I don't know at all). Do not use it in positive statements to mean 'completely'.

Formality

In spoken Chinese, 压根儿 (yà gēnr) is a more colloquial way to express 'not at all' in negative sentences.

Example Sentences

3 shown

我 根本 不明白他的意思。

I don't understand what he means at all.

根本 沒辦法用這本書。

Source: Tatoeba.org (ID 6195275)

我 根本 不信。

Source: Tatoeba.org (ID 6101308)

Sentence data courtesy of Tatoeba.org. AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Words Containing 根本

• 根本法 根本法 gēn běn fǎ: fundamental law

Child Words of 根本

• 本 本 běn: root
• 根 根 gēn: root