Japanese word

源

Pronunciation

Romajiminamoto

Meaning

  • nounsource

Example

この川の源は山にあります。ko no kawa no minamoto wa yama ni a ri ma su

The source of this river is in the mountains.

Illustration for 源 (source)

More examples

研究者は古い記録から情報の源を探しています。ken kyū sha wa furu i ki roku ka ra jō hō no minamoto o saga shi te i ma su

The researchers are looking for the source of the information in old records.

Core concept

Marks the point from which a flow, event, or development begins.

Common phrases

  • エネルギーの源e ne ru gī no minamoto

    energy source

  • 知識の源chi shiki no minamoto

    source of knowledge

  • 資金の源shi kin no minamoto

    source of funds

Similar words

起源kigen: The beginning from which something first develops or comes into existence.
水源suigen: The place where a river or stream begins.
出典shutten: The published work or record from which information is taken.

Definition in Japanese

川や水などが流れ出る所、また、物事が始まるもと。kawa ya mizu na do ga naga re de ru tokoro ma ta mono goto ga haji ma ru mo to

Word origin

The native Japanese word みなもと (minamoto) is understood as a shortened form of 水の本 (mizu no moto, "the source of water"), a meaning that broadened to include the origin of events and things.

Usage tips

  • The surname Minamoto is written 源 (minamoto) and appears in the name of the Minamoto clan, a major samurai clan in Japanese history.

Other meanings

  • originnoun

Word lists with this word