をもとに

Based on

Level 3Sounds Like womotoni

Noun + をもとに
Meaning: "Based on," "derived from," or "taking [A] as a basis for [B]."

How It Works

The pattern をもとに (often appearing as をもとにして) is used when a person creates something new by using existing information, data, or stories as a foundation.

Key Characteristics:

  • Creative Process: It is frequently used with verbs of creation like 作る（つくる）, 書く（かく）, or 生み出す（うみだす）.
  • Abstract Sources: While it can be used for concrete things, it is most common with abstract sources like data, experiences, or stories.
  • Transformation: It suggests that the source material provided the "hint" or "raw material" that was then transformed into the final result. It is not used for simple raw materials where the substance remains visible (like a desk made of wood); instead, it refers to models, blueprints, or complex transformations.

Comparison: をもとに vs. に基づいて
While both mean "based on," they are used in different contexts:

  • をもとに: Focuses on creative inspiration or using something as a hint to build something new (e.g., a movie based on a true story).
  • に基づいて: Focuses on strict adherence to a standard, law, or data (e.g., a decision based on the law).

Grammatical Forms:

  • Noun + をもとに / をもとにして: Functions as an adverbial phrase to modify a verb (e.g., "made based on...").
  • Noun + をもとにした + Noun: Functions as an adjectival phrase to modify a following noun (e.g., "a report based on...").

Kanji Note: While often written in hiragana, you may see it as を元に (origin) or を基に (basis/foundation).

Examples (4)

  1. この映画は、実際にあった話をもとに作られました。

    This movie was made based on a true story.

    Word by Word: This movie (topic), actually existed story based on, was made.

    Here, the 'true story' is the source material used to create the movie.

  2. アンケートの結果をもとにしたレポートを提出した。

    I submitted a report based on the survey results.

    Word by Word: Survey's results based on (adjectival) report (object) submitted.

    This uses the 'をもとにした' form to modify the noun 'report,' showing the report's foundation is the survey data.

  3. ひらがなは漢字をもとにして生まれました。

    Hiragana was created based on kanji.

    Word by Word: Hiragana (topic) kanji based on was born.

    Kanji served as the structural foundation from which the hiragana script was derived.

  4. お客様の意見をもとに、新商品を開発しました。

    We developed a new product based on our customers' opinions.

    Word by Word: Customers' opinions based on, new product (object) developed.

    The customers' feedback acted as the inspiration or 'raw material' for the development process.

Common Mistakes

  • Using it for direct physical materials.

    木をもとに椅子を作りました。
    木で椅子を作りました。

    For physical materials like wood or metal, use で or から. をもとに is for conceptual foundations like data or stories.

  • Confusing it with 'under the influence/guidance' (のもとに).

    先生をもとに日本語を勉強しています。
    先生のもとで日本語を勉強しています。

    To say you are studying 'under' a teacher's guidance, use 'のもとで' or 'のもとに'. をもとに implies the teacher is the 'raw material' being used to create something else, which is incorrect.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

をもとにLevel 3Based on

Learn This First

The pattern 'をもとに' (based on) is a compound particle structure. To understand it, learners need to be familiar with the basic object marker 'を' and the target particle 'に'. It is used primarily with nouns to indicate the source material or foundation for something new.

Words in This Pattern

を元にして