The kernel is an essential part of an operating system, but useless by itself; it can only function in the context of a complete operating system. Linux is normally used in a combination with the GNU operating system: the whole system is basically GNU, with Linux functioning as its kernel.
Ang kernel ay isang mahalagang bahagi ng operating system, pero walang silbi kung nag-iisa; gagana lamang ito kung mapapaloob sa isang kumpletong operating system. Ang Linux ay karaniwang ginagamit na kasama nang GNU operating system: ang buong sistema ay talagang GNU, na may Linux na siyang gumagana bilang kernel nito.