noun

  1. Chemistry term.element, chemical element.
  2. (classical) element (e.g. earth, water, air, fire).
  3. origin, source. Archaism.

Variations

Pronunciation Kanji Kana Is Common
元素 げんそ
原素 げんそ

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)
elementary, principle, naked
ス ソ もと (5th, N1)
life (生) variant
thread
いと シ (1st, N2)
short thread radical (no. 52)
ヨウ ちいさい (Kentei 1)
little, small
ショウ こ- ちい.さい (1st, N5)
feathered stick, barb radical (no. 6)
ケツ かぎ (Kentei 1)
eight, eight radical (no. 12)
ハチ や はっ (1st, N5)