Definition
根子 is a colloquial noun meaning the 'root cause' or 'source' of a problem, often with a negative connotation — it's the underlying reason something bad happens. Unlike the physical 根 (root of a plant), 根子 is always figurative. You'll hear it in phrases like 病根子 ('root of an illness') or 问题根子 ('root of the problem').
n.
(colloquial) root causesourceorigin (of a problem or undesirable situation)
Examples
- 根子。Zhèxiē máodùn de gēn zǐ zài jīngjì wèntí.The root cause of these conflicts lies in economic issues.
- 根子。Wǒmen yào cóng gēn zǐ shàng jiějué zhège wèntí.We need to solve this problem from its root.
- 根子。Tā fēnxī chū shìgù de gēn zǐ shì guǎnlǐ shūhū.He analyzed that the root of the accident was management negligence.
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