JLPT N1 · Japanese kanji
源 — source
- Reading
- ゲン・みなもと
- Meaning
- source; origin
- JLPT level
- N1
- Language
- Japanese
About this kanji
源 is a japanese kanji character commonly studied at the JLPT N1 level. Its primary reading is ゲン・みなもと and it means source; origin. To master it, see it in real Japanese content — import an article or YouTube video into InputDojo and every occurrence becomes a one-tap lookup.
源 appears in everyday japanese words such as 源 (source), 水源 (source of river) and 語源 (word root).
Japanese words containing 源
Frequently asked questions
What does 源 mean in Japanese?
源 means source; origin in Japanese. It is one of the JLPT N1 kanji every learner meets at that level.
How is 源 read?
源 is read ゲン・みなもと. Reading it inside real words — 源 and 水源 and more — is the fastest way to remember it.
What level is 源 — is it JLPT N1?
Yes. 源 is on the official JLPT N1 kanji list, so it can appear in that exam's reading and vocabulary sections.
How do you use 源 in a word?
A common word containing 源 is 源 (みなもと) — "source". More examples are listed below, each with a one-tap dictionary entry.
How do I learn 源 effectively?
Read it in context. Import any Japanese article or video into InputDojo and every occurrence of 源 becomes a one-tap lookup with SRS flashcards, so you meet it in real sentences instead of a list.
More JLPT N1 kanji
Learn every JLPT kanji in context
InputDojo gives you the full JLPT N5–N1 kanji list — plus one-tap lookups in any real Japanese content. Free to start.
Start free