Translation and Meaning of: 源 - minamoto

The Japanese word 「源」 (minamoto) is a fascinating term that denotes various nuances of meaning, primarily relating to ideas of "origin," "source," or "beginning." The kanji 「源」 is composed of two parts: the radical 「氵」, which means "water," reflecting the idea of flow or natural origin, and 「原」, which represents "field" or "principle." This combination suggests a concept of something that flows or emerges from a primary source, emphasizing the origin or the place where something begins.

Historically, 「みなもと」 (minamoto) is also an ancient family name in Japan, associated with the powerful Minamoto clan. This clan played a crucial role in Japanese history, especially during the Heian period. Members of this clan were instrumentally involved in numerous significant historical events, such as battles for noble supremacy, contributing to the formation of Japan as we know it today. Moreover, the name Minamoto often symbolizes noble origin or lineage, being adopted by many emperors as a family name when members of the nobility were sent to live as commoners.

In the linguistic context, 「源」 is used in compound words and phrases to indicate the origin or source of something, such as in 「資源」 (shigen, resources) or 「源泉」 (gensen, source). This usage underscores the importance of the expression in communication and cultural understanding in Japan. The word is an integral part of the language and is daily associated with ideas of beginning and source, shaping how Japanese speakers perceive and describe the world around them.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 起源 (Kigen) - Origin, beginning of something.
• 根源 (Kongen) - Primordial source, origin of a cause or phenomenon.
• 元 (Moto) - Origin, foundation, starting point.
• 始まり (Hajimari) - Beginning, start of a process.
• 原点 (Genten) - Starting point, starting point for measurements or reflections.

源

Romaji: minamoto
Kana: みなもと
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: source; origin

Meaning in English: source;origin

Definition: A place where water gushes, like water, river, lake, sea, etc.

Example Sentences - (源) minamoto

See below some example sentences:

語源は言葉の起源を示す。

Gogen wa kotoba no kigen wo shimesu

The etymology indicates the origin of the word.

The etymology indicates the origin of the language.

• 語源 - origin of the word
• は - Topic particle
• 言葉 - word
• の - Possession particle
• 起源 - origin
• を - direct object particle
• 示す - Indicate, show

電源を入れてください。

Dengen wo irete kudasai

Please turn on the energy.

Please turn on the energy.

• 電源 - It means "source of energy" or "electricity".
• を - direct object particle in Japanese.
• 入れて - imperative form of the verb 入れる (ireru), which means "to turn on".
• ください - Polite imperative form of the verb くださる (kudasaru), which means "please do".

鉱山は豊かな地下資源を持っています。

Kōzan wa yutaka na chikashigen'yō o motte imasu

Mines have abundant underground resumes.

The mine has rich underground resources.

• 鉱山 - everyone
• は - Topic particle
• 豊かな - rich
• 地下 - subterranean
• 資源 - resources
• を - direct object particle
• 持っています - have

鉱物は地球上で見つかる多くの貴重な資源の一つです。

Koumotsu wa chikyuu jou de mitsukaru ooku no kichou na shigen no hitotsu desu

Minerals are one of the many valuable resources found on Earth.

Minerals are one of the many valuable resources found on Earth.

• 鉱物 - mineral
• は - Partícula que indica o tópico da frase
• 地球上 - on Earth
• で - Article indicating the location where something happens
• 見つかる - To be found
• 多く - Many
• の - Partícula que indica posse ou atribuição
• 貴重な - Valuable
• 資源 - Recurso
• の - Partícula que indica posse ou atribuição
• 一つ - One
• です - Copula que indica cortesia ou formalidade

農地は大切な資源です。

Nouchi wa taisetsu na shigen desu

Agricultural land is a valuable resource.

Agricultural lands are an important resource.

• 農地 - arable land
• は - Topic particle
• 大切 - important
• な - adjective particle
• 資源 - resource
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form

競争は健全な発展の源である。

Kyousou wa kenzen na hatten no minamoto de aru

Competition is the healthy source of development.

Competition is a source of healthy development.

• 競争 (kyōsō) - competition
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 健全 (kenzen) - healthy, whole
• な (na) - particle that indicates the characteristic of the adjective that follows it
• 発展 (hatten) - development
• の (no) - particle indicating the relationship of possession or attribution
• 源 (gen) - source, origin
• である (dearu) - verb to be, to stay

石炭は火力発電所で使われる重要なエネルギー源です。

Ishitan wa karyoku hatsudensho de tsukawareru juuyou na enerugii gen desu

Coal is an important source of energy used in thermal power plants.

Coal is an important source of energy used in thermal power plants.

• 石炭 (sekitan) - coal
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 火力発電所 (karyoku hatsudensho) - power plant
• で (de) - Location particle
• 使われる (tsukawareru) - to be used
• 重要な (juuyouna) - important
• エネルギー源 (enerugii gen) - energy source
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

源泉は清らかで美しいです。

Gensen wa kiyora ka de utsukushii desu

The fountain is pure and beautiful.

The fountain is pure and beautiful.

• 源泉 (Gensen) - Thermal spring
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 清らか (kiyora ka) - pure, clean
• で (de) - connecting particle
• 美しい (utsukushii) - pretty, beautiful
• です (desu) - polite way of being

水源は大切な自然資源です。

Suigen wa taisetsu na shizen shigen desu

The water source is an important natural resource.

The water source is an important natural resource.

• 水源 (suigen) - Water source
• は (wa) - particle that marks the topic of the sentence
• 大切 (taisetsu) - important, valuable
• な (na) - particle that modifies the previous adjective
• 自然 (shizen) - nature
• 資源 (shigen) - resource
• です (desu) - verb to be in the polite form

多様性は豊かさの源です。

Tayousei wa yutakasa no minamoto desu

Diversity is the source of wealth.

Diversity is a source of wealth.

• 多様性 (たようせい) - diversity
• は - Topic particle
• 豊かさ (ゆたかさ) - wealth, abundance
• の - Possessive particle
• 源 (みなもと) - source, origin
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form