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Words Kanji Guides About

源 (みなもと) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

源みなもと

み

な

も

と

Common wordJLPTN1Freq.FrequencyTop 5,000

Meanings

1

noun

source of a river; fountainhead

Specifically refers to the geographical origin of a stream or river.

その川かわの源みなもとは深ふかい山やまの中なかにある。
The source of that river is deep in the mountains.

2

noun

Figurative use for the origin or root of something, such as a problem, tradition, or information.

噂うわさの源みなもとを探さぐる。
I trace the source of the rumor.
この問もん題だいの源みなもとはコミュニケーション不ぶ足そくだ。
The root of this problem is a lack of communication.

Written forms

源みなもとUsage98%
Standard kanji spelling for both literal and figurative senses.
みなもとUsage2%

Kanji

源source, origin

Similar words

起き源げん
起源 is a more formal, academic term for historical or biological origins, while 源 can be used in both literal and everyday figurative contexts.
原げん因いん
原因 means 'cause' and focuses on direct causality, whereas 源 emphasizes the deeper or original source.

Etymology

The kanji 源 combines 氵 (water) and 原 (origin), suggesting 'water's origin'. The reading みなもと is a native Japanese word, likely from 水 (mi, 'water') + な (possessive particle) + 元 (moto, 'origin').