(こうみゃく)

こうみゃく
noun
ore vein; mineral vein; lode
naturebusiness
1. ore vein; mineral vein; lode
A streak of ore or mineral running through surrounding rock. Also used figuratively for a rich source of something valuable, such as information or talent.
(きん)鉱脈(こうみゃく)発見(はっけん)した
They discovered a gold vein.
There is a copper vein in this mountain.
The mine that struck a new vein regained its vitality.

Composed of (こう) (mineral) + (みゃく) (vein, line).

Common collocations

  • (きん)鉱脈(こうみゃく): gold vein
  • 鉱脈(こうみゃく)発見(はっけん)する: to discover a vein
  • 鉱脈(こうみゃく)()()てる: to strike a vein

Usage

Often used metaphorically for a rich, untapped source — e.g., 情報(じょうほう)鉱脈(こうみゃく) (a goldmine of information), 才能(さいのう)鉱脈(こうみゃく) (a vein of talent).