もと
元

takes genitive case の, noun used as a prefix

  1. former, ex-, past, one-time.

noun, takes genitive case の

  1. earlier times, the past, previous state.

noun, adverb

  1. formerly, previously, originally, before.

Variations

Pronunciation Kanji Kana Is Common
もと
元
 元 もと
もと
旧
 旧 もと
もと
故
 故 もと

Contained Kanji Breakdown

beginning, former time, origin
ゲン　もと　ガン (2nd, N4)
two, two radical (no. 7)
ニ　ふた　ふだ (1st, N5)
legs radical (no. 10)
ジン　ニン　がい (Kentei 1)