fundamental · basic · root · simply · absolutely (not) · (not) at all · CL: gè

gēn běn

g+ēn·1st toneb+ěn·3rd tone

New to Chinese?Start with pinyin·See the learning path·Browse all tools

Examples12 available

It may be that the happiness awaiting us is not at all the sort of happiness we would want.

很可能等待着我们的幸福根本不是我们要的那种幸福。

You needn't have bought that book.

你根本不需要买那书。

In other words, he doesn't want to do it.

也就是说，他根本不想做。

I think you'll have very little difficulty in getting a driver's license.

我想您要拿到驾照根本不难。

I think you'll have very little difficulty in getting a driver's license.

我想你要拿到驾照根本不难。

Keep practising

Practice sheet — print this character in 田字格 with stroke order and trace it.
All learning tools — pinyin charts, HSK lists, quizzes and printables in one place.
Pinyin annotator — paste any sentence and read it with pinyin above every character.

Want to practice speaking with a real teacher? Find a 1-on-1 Chinese tutor on italki (affiliate)