foundation stone

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 礎 has 18 strokes and concerns a foundation stone or something that supports an undertaking.
• Basic usage: 礎 is read いしずえ, and 基礎 is read きそ.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Physical and abstract foundations
  • 協力の礎 means the foundation of cooperation.
  • The 礎 in 基礎 is read そ.
  • 文法の基礎 means the basics of grammar.
  • 建物の基礎 means a building's foundation. 基礎 is used for both basic knowledge and a physical supporting structure.