1. Noun

   origin; source; beginning

   esp. 元

   憲政の危機が始まったのは、このような状況のもとであった。

2. basis; base; foundation; root

   oft. 基

3. cause

   also written as 因, 原

4. (raw) material; ingredient; base; mix (e.g. for a cake); (soup) stock

   esp. 素

5. (one's) side

6. capital; principal; cost price

7. root (of a plant); (tree) trunk

8. part (of a brush, chopsticks, etc.) one holds (with the hand)

9. first three lines of a waka

   see 和歌

10. Counter

    counter for plants or trees

11. counter for falcons (in falconry)

Also written 本【もと】moto、素【もと】moto、基【もと】moto