礎

• Reading: いしずえ
• Romaji: ishizue
• Kanji breakdown: 礎 (so/ishizue) — foundation stone, cornerstone (contains 石 stone radical)
• Pronunciation: /i.ɕi.zɯ.e/

Meaning

Foundation stone; cornerstone; basis; groundwork.

Originally a physical foundation stone used in construction, now primarily used figuratively to mean the basis or groundwork of something important — a career, an organization, a nation. A literary and somewhat elevated word, often seen in speeches, essays, and historical writing.

Examples

1. 先人たちの努力が今の社会の礎となっている。 The efforts of those who came before us form the foundation of today's society.
2. 大学での経験がキャリアの礎を築いた。 My experiences in college laid the groundwork for my career.
3. 平和の礎を守ることが私たちの責任だ。 It is our responsibility to protect the foundations of peace.

Usage Guide

Context: literature, speeches, history

Tone: elevated

Origin & History

From Old Japanese. The kanji 礎 combines 石 (stone) + 楚 (foundation), referring to the physical stone placed at the base of a building to support the structure.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal