源(みなもと)

みなもと
noun
source; origin; root
1. source; origin; fountainhead; root
The point from which something arises — literally the headwaters of a river, or figuratively the origin or root cause of an idea, energy, problem, or culture.
川(かわ)の源(みなもと)をたどる。
To trace a river to its source.
好奇心(こうきしん)が学問(がくもん)の源(みなもと)だ。
Curiosity is the source of learning.
争(あらそ)いの源(みなもと)をたどれば、小(ちい)さな誤解(ごかい)にたどり着(つ)いた。
Tracing the conflict back to its root, we arrived at a small misunderstanding.

Both literal (the headwaters of a river) and figurative (the origin or root cause of something).

Common collocations

  • 川(かわ)の源(みなもと): the source of a river
  • 力(ちから)の源(みなもと): the source of one's strength
  • 源(みなもと)をたどる: to trace back to the origin

Similar words

Related Words

Related: 泉(いずみ) (spring, fountain, source)
general
Added 2026.5.22 12:04 · Revised 2026.9.30 1:52
27500/27896_minamoto