JLPT N1 Advanced
元凶
The main culprit or root cause of a negative situation.
Readings
Other forms
元兇 older, less common kanji form
1 Noun
Ringleader / Main Culprit
Identifies the central figure who orchestrated a crime, scandal, or negative event.
Example
警察 は 事件 の 元凶 を 逮捕 した 。
The police arrested the ringleader of the incident.
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2 Noun
Root Cause
Pinpoints the fundamental origin or source of a disaster, disease, or social problem.
Usage notes & examples
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