源泉(げんせん)

げんせん
noun
source, fountainhead, wellspring
natureabstract
1. source, spring, fountainhead
The point where water naturally emerges from the ground. Particularly used for hot spring sources.
この温泉(おんせん)は源泉(げんせん)かけ流(なが)しだ。
This hot spring uses free-flowing water directly from the source.
源泉(げんせん)の温度(おんど)は90度(ど)を超(こ)える。
The temperature at the source exceeds 90 degrees.
新(あたら)しい源泉(げんせん)が発見(はっけん)された。
A new hot spring source was discovered.
2. source, origin, wellspring
The fundamental origin or root cause of something abstract, such as the source of creativity, wealth, or power.
好奇心(こうきしん)は創造力(そうぞうりょく)の源泉(げんせん)だ。
Curiosity is the wellspring of creativity.
富(とみ)の源泉(げんせん)は知識(ちしき)にある。
The source of wealth lies in knowledge.
この地域(ちいき)の活力(かつりょく)の源泉(げんせん)は住民(じゅうみん)の団結力(だんけつりょく)にあると思(おも)う。
I think the source of this region's vitality lies in the unity of its residents.

Usage

In the hot spring context, 源泉(げんせん)かけ流(なが)し (free-flowing source water) is a prized feature of Japanese hot springs, meaning the water comes directly from the natural source without recirculation. This is a key selling point for onsen.

源泉(げんせん)徴収(ちょうしゅう) (withholding at source) is also a common compound used in tax contexts.

Not to be confused with the homophone 厳選(げんせん) (careful selection).

Common collocations

  • 源泉(げんせん)かけ流(なが)し: free-flowing source water
  • 源泉(げんせん)徴収(ちょうしゅう): withholding at source (tax)
  • 活力(かつりょく)の源泉(げんせん): source of vitality
  • 力(ちから)の源泉(げんせん): source of power
general
Added 2026.2.24 19:00 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
13000/13337_gensen_source