根本 (gēn běn) — (adverb, used before a negative) at all; simply; absolutely; (adjective) fundamental; basic; root; (noun) foundation; root; basis
Definition
Trips up learners: 根本 as an adverb means 'at all / simply' before a negative (我根本不知道). As a noun/adjective it means 'foundation / root' — close to 基础 but more abstract, pointing to the origin rather than the practical base.
noun
(adverb, used before a negative) at allsimplyabsolutelyfoundationrootbasis
adjective
fundamentalbasicroot
Measure word · 个
Examples
- 根本。Wǒ gēn běn bù xǐ huan zhè ge diàn yǐng.I simply don't like this movie.
- 根本。Xué xí yǔ yán de gēn běn fāng fǎ shì duō liàn xí.The fundamental method of learning a language is to practice more.
- 根本。Gōng sī hé yuán gōng zhī jiān de xìn rèn shì hé zuò de gēn běn.Trust between the company and employees is the foundation of cooperation.
Grammar
Appears in
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