fundamentals, radical (chem), counter for machines, foundation
基 centers on the base or starting point that supports everything above it: a foundation, fundamentals, or a chemical radical that serves as a core unit. The counter-for-machines sense extends this idea to counting foundational devices.
基 combines 其, which likely contributes the sound, with 土 (earth), suggesting a foundation or base built on the ground.
The top 其 looks like a basket or container, and the bottom 土 is earth. Picture a basket filled with earth as the solid foundation for a building.
For キ, imagine a key foundation stone: key -> キ, and that stone is the base of the whole structure.
basics; fundamentals; basis; foundation
standard; criterion; norm; benchmark; measure; gauge; basis
base (military, expedition, etc.)
to be based (on); to be founded (on); to be grounded (on); to be in accordance (with)
foundation; basis
group
basis; foundation; origin; source
base; basis; foundation; footing; infrastructure
fund; foundation
basic tone; underlying tone; basic theme; basis; keynote
(circuit) board; substrate
mainstay; nucleus; key
base
base; basis; foundation
basis; foundation; core; criterion; standard
Labor Standards Act
base pay
base; foundation
datum point; cardinal point; reference point; origin
substrate (i.e. in biochemistry)