Meanings
Readings
Common Words
hot spring
onsen; hot spring resort; hot spring spa
spring; fountain
source (of a spring, etc.)
source (of payment, energy, knowledge, etc.); origin; wellspring
Historical term
Izumi (former province located in the southwest of present-day Osaka Prefecture)
Hades; hell; underworld
こうせん only; Obsolete term; Orig. meaning
underground spring
hot spring inn; hot spring hotel; hot spring resort
inn with hot spring facilities; hot spring inn; hot spring ryokan; onsen ryokan
geyser
Memory Mnemonics
Keywords
The core concepts or meanings associated with this specific kanji.
Constituents
The visual building blocks used to craft this character's story.
Mnemonic Stories
White is a symbol of purity, so white water is pure water, often associated with a natural spring of water.
The onsen is a Japanese hot spring where you place a little white towel on your head while you soak in the water.
Master this Kanji through Practice
Don't just read about it—lock it in. Our spaced-repetition kanji quiz uses the same mnemonics to help you remember keywords and characters forever.