original/ high plain

(cliff) + (white) + (small size)
★★★☆☆
10 strokes
JERKILL PAIR
JERK - by itself it means 'high plain', but used with another kanji it means 'original'

Onyomi

GEN

Mnemonic

I'll go back to my origins AGAIN: I originated on a tiny white cliff. (FYI, I'm a cormorant, coming home to the ol' guano colony to mate)

(not sure that that helps you remember the actual kanji, but I went to the trouble of making a whole back-story for the cormorant, and I figure I should get credit for it (he overcame many obstacles))

Kunyomi

はら a high plain. (not useful, unless you are a High Plains Drifter, and concoct a Black and Tan in your brandy Snifter)
★☆☆☆☆

Jukugo

原因(げんいん)

cause ★★★☆☆
(original/ high plain) + (origin) = 原因 (cause)

origin or cause of something

原爆(げんばく)

A-bomb  ★☆☆☆☆ NEO
(original/ high plain) + (explode) = 原爆 (A-bomb )

the A-bomb (a contraction of 原子爆弾 (げんしばくだん))

原住民(げんじゅうみん)

native ☆☆☆☆☆
(original/ high plain) + (residents) = 原住民 (native)

a person or animal native to the area. Indigenous.

Used In