Chinese character 基

It means foundation, basis, or basic, depending on the compound.

In 地基, 基 means a building’s footing; in 基础, a foundation or groundwork; and in 基本, something basic. The surrounding word selects the sense.

An oracle-bone inscription uses 基 in the place name 基方; oracle bones are shells or bones inscribed for divination. The character analysis links 土, “earth,” to meaning and 其 to sound. A bronze inscription from the late Spring and Autumn period uses 基 in place of the similar-sounding 期. Warring States bamboo texts and Han manuscripts attest foundation or beginning senses.

Is 基 slang for gay?

It can be in particular compounds; the whole word matters.

The slang branch comes through Cantonese gei1, a close sound echo of the English word “gay.” It appears in Mandarin compounds even though Mandarin pronounces 基 jī; that association does not make every 基 word sexual.

Youth-language research from 2022 describes 基友 as close male-friend language as well as gay-related friendship. If someone calls you 基友, that alone does not reveal their orientation or romantic intent. 基佬 can sound derogatory, so do not use it as a neutral label for a gay man.