源: the kanji for source; origin
源 is a JLPT N1 kanji that means source; origin. Below are its readings, 4 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
源 is written in 13 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
源 has 2 readings in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 4 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
ゲン (gen)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 資源しげん · shigen | resources |
| 電源でんげん · dengen | power supply |
| 起源きげん · kigen | origin |
みなもと (minamoto)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 源みなもと · minamoto | source; origin |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- …日本は天然資源が少ない。Nihon wa tennen shigen ga sukunai.Japan has few natural resources.
- パソコンの電源を切った。Pasokon no dengen o kitta.I turned off the computer.
- この言葉の起源を調べた。Kono kotoba no kigen o shirabeta.I looked up the origin of this word.
- この川の源は山の中にある。Kono kawa no minamoto wa yama no naka ni aru.This river's source is in the mountains.
- 水は命の源だ。Mizu wa inochi no minamoto da.Water is the source of life.
Questions about 源
How many strokes does 源 have?
源 is written in 13 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 源?
The on readings are gen (ゲン). The kun readings are minamoto (みなもと).
What JLPT level is 源?
N1. The JLPT does not publish official kanji lists, so this level is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used through 2009.
About the JLPT level
The JLPT does not publish official lists of kanji for each level. The level on this page is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used for the test through 2009. The JLPT states that the current N1 is designed to match the former Level 1.
More JLPT N1 kanji
Places, land and buildings
Executive Japanese by CCN is one-on-one online Japanese for managers and directors doing business in Japan.
Sources
- Jōyō Kanji Table (常用漢字表), Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan, 2010: readings and special readings of 源
- JLPT Frequently Asked Questions, The Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services: how current levels match the former levels
- Stroke order diagrams are based on KanjiVG by Ulrich Apel, used under CC BY-SA 3.0. The diagrams on this page are shared under the same license.