어근, or "root," refers to the basic part of a word that carries its primary meaning. In linguistics, it is the foundation upon which words are built, often combined with prefixes or suffixes to create new meanings. Understanding 어근 helps in deciphering the meanings of complex words and enhances vocabulary. In the Korean language, 어근 plays a crucial role in word formation. For example, the 어근 "가" (meaning "to go") can be combined with other elements to form words like "가다" (to go) or "가서" (having gone). Recognizing these roots aids in learning and understanding the structure of the language.