(こうみゃく)

こうみゃく
noun
ore vein; mineral vein; lode
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.
この(やま)には(どう)鉱脈(こうみゃく)がある。
There is a copper vein in this mountain.
(あら)たな鉱脈(こうみゃく)()()てた鉱山(こうざん)活気(かっき)()(もど)した。
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

FIGURATIVE USE:
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).