(げん) (n) (1) {math} unknown (e.g. in an equation); (2) {math} element (of a set); (3) yuan (monetary unit of China); (4) Yuan dynasty (China) [EDICT]
(もと) (n) (1) (usu. 元) origin; source; (2) (esp. 基) base; basis; foundation; root; (3) (also 因, 原) cause; (4) (esp. 素) ingredient; material; (5) (元 only) (somebody's) side; (somebody's) location; (6) original cost (or capital, principal, etc.); (7) (plant) root; (tree) trunk; (8) (See 和歌) first section of a waka; (ctr) (9) (本 only) counter for blades of grass, tree trunks, etc., and for falcons (in falconry); (n) (10) handle (chopsticks, brush, etc.); grip; (P) [EDICT]
(もと) (n,adj-no,n-adv,n-pref) former; ex- [EDICT]
(yuán, ㄩㄢˊ) Chinese monetary unit; dollar; primary; first; the Yuan or Mongol dynasty (1279-1368); surname Yuan [CE-DICT]
前
(ぜん) (n-pref) (1) (See 前・まえ) the last (i.e. immediately preceding) (e.g. "the last mayor"); previous; one-time; former; (2) (before the name of an era) pre- (e.g. "premodern"); (adj-no,n) (3) before; earlier; (P) [EDICT]
(まえ) (n-adv,n-t,suf) (1) (See 前・ぜん) ago; before (some event); previously; (minutes) to (the hour); (2) in front (of); before (e.g. the house); (3) head (of a line); front (e.g. of a bus); fore part; (4) in the presence of; (5) (See 人前・にんまえ) helping; portion; (6) privates; private parts; (P) [EDICT]
(qián, ㄑㄧㄢˊ) before; in front; ago; former; previous; earlier; front [CE-DICT]
年
(ねん) (n) (1) year (e.g. AD); (ctr) (2) counter for years [EDICT]
(とし) (n-adv,n) (1) (年 only) year; (n) (2) many years; (suf,n) (3) age; (n-adv,n) (4) past one's prime; old age; (P) [EDICT]
(とせ) (ctr) (arch) counter for years (following a number in the hito-futa-mi counting system) [EDICT]
(nián, ㄋㄧㄢˊ) year [CE-DICT]
の
() (prt) endorsing and questioning the preceding statement (sentence ending particle); lamenting reflections on the preceding statement (sentence ending particle) [EDICT]
() (prt) (1) although; when; and yet; despite this; in spite of; even though; but even so; but even then; however; nevertheless; for all that; notwithstanding that; (2) while; (3) if only; I wish; (4) I tell you; you should do; (5) in order to; (P) [EDICT]