1. origin; source; beginning
esp. 元
建物が元はどんな形だったのかもわからなくなっていた。It had become impossible to know what shape the building had originally been.
2. basis; base; foundation; root
oft. 基
得られた情報を元に、推測してみただけよ。I just made a guess based on the information obtained.
3. cause
also written as 因, 原
4. (raw) material; ingredient; base; mix (e.g. for a cake); (soup) stock
esp. 素
5. (one's) side
国王の元に彼らは集まった。They gathered at the king's side.
6. capital; principal; cost price
高かったけど、もう元は取った。It was expensive, but I've already gotten my money's worth out of it.
7. root (of a plant); (tree) trunk
8. part (of a brush, chopsticks, etc.) one holds (with the hand)
9. first three lines of a waka
10. counter for plants or trees
11. counter for falcons (in falconry)