1.
to bud, to sprout, to put forth new shoots
For plants to produce new buds or sprouts, typically in spring. Also used figuratively for the beginning or emergence of something new, such as feelings, talent, or ideas.
木々が芽吹き始めた。
The trees have started to bud.
春になると、枯れたように見えた枝から新しい芽が芽吹く。
When spring comes, new buds sprout from branches that had looked dead.
あの出会いがきっかけで、二人の間に恋心が芽吹いた。
That encounter was what made feelings of love sprout between the two of them.
USAGE:
Strongly associated with spring and new beginnings. The literal sense describes plants budding, while the figurative sense conveys the emergence of emotions, ideas, or new developments. A poetic and evocative word.
GRAMMAR:
- Conjugates as a godan verb (く-row): 芽吹く → 芽吹いて → 芽吹いた
- Intransitive: no direct object
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 木々が芽吹く: trees bud/sprout
- 新芽が芽吹く: new shoots sprout
- 恋が芽吹く: love begins to bud
- 才能が芽吹く: talent begins to emerge
- 芽吹きの季節: the season of budding (spring)