Japanese word

水源

Pronunciation

Romajisuigen

Meaning

  • nounsource of a river

Example

この川の水源は山の中です。ko no kawa no sui gen wa yama no naka de su

The source of this river is in the mountains.

Illustration for 水源 (source of a river)

More examples

工場からの排水が川の水源を汚染しました。kō jō ka ra no hai sui ga kawa no sui gen o o sen shi ma shi ta

Wastewater from the factory polluted the source of the river.

Core concept

Points to the natural starting place of flowing water or the source from which water is supplied.

Common phrases

  • 水源を確保するsui gen o kaku ho su ru

    secure a water source

  • 水源を保全するsui gen o ho zen su ru

    preserve a water source

  • 水源を汚染するsui gen o o sen su ru

    pollute a water source

Similar words

水源地suigenchi: A place where a river begins or where water is obtained for use.
源流genryū: The uppermost part of a river where its flow begins.

Definition in Japanese

川の流れが始まる場所や、利用する水を得るもととなる場所。kawa no naga re ga haji ma ru ba sho ya ri yō su ru mizu o e ru mo to to na ru ba sho

Word origin

The compound 水源 (suigen) combines 水 (sui, "water") with 源 (gen, "source") to name a place that provides water.

Usage tips

  • In environmental writing, 水源 (suigen) often appears in discussions of forests and land that help maintain a steady water supply.

Other meanings

  • water sourcenoun

Word lists with this word