1.
sprouting, budding
The emergence of a plant sprout or bud from a seed or root.
春になると草木の芽生えが見られる。
In spring, you can see plants sprouting.
種から芽生えが出てきた。
Sprouts emerged from the seeds.
新しい命の芽生えを感じる。
I feel the budding of new life.
2.
beginning, awakening
The first signs or emergence of feelings, ideas, or developments (figurative).
恋の芽生えを感じた。
I felt the beginning of love.
彼の中に正義感の芽生えがあった。
There was an awakening sense of justice within him.
子どもの好奇心の芽生えを大切にしたい。
I want to cherish the budding curiosity in children.
RELATED VERB:
芽生える: to sprout, to bud, to begin to develop
FIGURATIVE USAGE:
The word is commonly used metaphorically for:
- 恋の芽生え (budding love)
- 希望の芽生え (budding hope)
- 意識の芽生え (awakening consciousness)
The image of a delicate new sprout conveys beginnings that are fragile but full of potential.