Meaning and Usage
"基盤" (きばん) refers to a foundation or basis, both in literal and figurative senses. It can describe physical foundations, such as the base of a building, or abstract foundations, like the basis of a system, society, or knowledge.
Common Contexts
It is often used in business, technology, education, and construction contexts. For example, "技術の基盤" means the technological foundation, and "社会の基盤" refers to the social foundation.
Collocations and Patterns
- 基盤を築く (きばんをきずく): to build a foundation; used when establishing a base for something.
- 基盤工事 (きばんこうじ): foundation construction; literal use in building contexts.
- 基盤となる: to serve as a foundation; often used figuratively.
Register and Nuance
"基盤" is a formal noun, suitable for written and formal spoken Japanese. It is not casual and is often found in professional or academic discussions.
Common Learner Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse "基盤" with "土台" (どだい), which also means foundation. "土台" is more often used for physical foundations and can sound more casual, while "基盤" has a broader and more formal usage including abstract foundations.