柢 (dǐ) - root & foundation

柢Tone 3

dǐ ｜ 9 strokes ｜ radical:

橙丁

柢 · dǐ

root;

foundation;

base;

the fundamental part of something

rootfoundationbase

Usage highlights

deepreturn to the rootfoundation stonefundamental causeroot of a treebasic principles

Synonyms

  • 根— root
  • 基— foundation
  • 本— origin, basis
  • 源— source

Antonyms

  • 末— end, tip
  • 梢— tip, end of branch
  • 表— surface, external

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The tree has deep roots (根深柢固).
  • This is the foundation of our theory (理论的基础).
  • He returned to his roots (归根结柢).
  • The company's financial base is solid (公司的财政根基稳固).

Collocations

  • deep-rooted(根深柢固)
  • return to the root(归根结柢)
  • foundation stone(基石)
  • fundamental cause(根本原因)
  • root of a tree(树根)
  • basic principles(基本原则)

Idioms

  • Deep-rooted and firmly-established(根深柢固)
  • Ultimately, in the final analysis(归根结柢)
  • To strike at the root(直捣根柢)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Chinese philosophy, '柢' represents the fundamental basis or origin of things, similar to the concept of 'root' in Daoist and Confucian thought.
  • The character appears in classical texts emphasizing the importance of strong foundations in both personal cultivation and state governance.
  • In traditional Chinese medicine and philosophy, strong 'roots' (柢) are essential for health and stability.

FAQ