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13 strokes
Frequency: 738
JLPT N1
Grade 6

Meanings

source
origin

Readings

On — Chinese-derived reading, usually for compounds
ゲン
Kun — Native Japanese reading, usually for standalone words
みなもと
Nanori — Specialized readings used in names
はら
みな
もと

Common Words

なもと
Noun
Freq #6784
1

source (of a river); fountainhead

2

source; origin; root

んげん
Noun
Freq #7559
1

source of electricity; electrical power

2

power (button on TV, etc.)

Examples
回路を調べる前に、電源のスイッチを切りなさい。
You must switch off the power before checking the circuit.
げん
Noun
Freq #11815
1

resources

Examples
海は各種の資源を与えてくれる。
The ocean affords various kinds of resources.
根原
根元
んげ
Noun
Freq #12852
1

root; source; origin; cause

Examples
金は諸悪の根源
Money is the root of all evil.
げん
Suffix
Freq #16306
1

source; origin

Examples
良い新聞記者は、どんなニュースからも、つまり、出所不明型のニュースからも、学びとれるものはなんでも利用する。
A good newspaper reporter takes advantage of what he learns from any source, even the "little bird told him so" type of source.
起原
げん
Noun
Freq #18451
1

origin; beginning; source

Examples
この民族の起源は神秘につつまれている。
The origins of these people is shrouded in mystery.
うげん
Noun
Freq #19360
1

light source

Examples
では、CGを作る場合はどのように光源を使用すればよいのであろうか。
Then, when you're making CG, how should you use light sources?
情報元
ょうほうげん
Noun
Freq #20720
1

source of information; intelligence source

Examples
記者はその情報源を明かすことを拒んだ。
The reporter refused to name his sources.
2

Computing

message source

んせん
原泉
Noun
Freq #21605
1

source (of a spring, etc.)

2

source (of payment, energy, knowledge, etc.); origin; wellspring

はっせいげん
Noun
Freq #22360
1

source; origin

Memory Mnemonics

Keywords

The core concepts or meanings associated with this specific kanji.

source

Constituents

The visual building blocks used to craft this character's story.

cliff
🧩 water droplets
🧩 water pistol
meadow
little
small
day
sun
water

Mnemonic Stories

Water that flows through the meadow is the source of life for wild animals.

He found the source of the goblin infestation: a fetid water spring bubbling up in a dark, dying meadow.

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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.