芽
bud, sprout, spear, germ
Readings
On'yomi
- ガ
Kun'yomi
- め
Nanori
- じ
- めぐ
Meaning
芽 centers on the early stage of plant growth: a bud, sprout, or germ. The spear sense is a narrow application referring to a pointed young shoot.
Most common words using 芽
20 of 94- 芽めN3
sprout; shoot; bud
- 芽生えめばえ
bud; sprout
- 発芽はつがN2
germination; sprouting; budding
- 芽生えるめばえる
to bud; to sprout
- 麦芽ばくが
malt
- 新芽しんめ
sprout; bud; shoot
- 萌芽ほうが
germination; germ; sprout
- 芽吹くめぶく
to bud
- 花芽かが
flower bud
- 木の芽きのめ
leaf bud
- 芽生がせい
gemmation
- 肉芽にくが
granulation; granulation tissue; proud flesh
- 芽キャベツめキャベツ
Brussels sprout (Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera)
- 芽吹きめぶき
bud; sprout; shoot
- 胚芽はいが
germ (of a cereal, e.g. wheat, rice); embryo bud
- 芽胞がほう
spore
- 冬芽とうが
winter bud
- 芽が出るめがでるN1
to bud; to sprout; to germinate
- ウェゲナー肉芽腫症ウェゲナーにくげしゅしょう
Wegener's granulomatosis; Wegener granulomatosis
- エナメル芽細胞エナメルがさいぼう
ameloblast; tooth enamel depositing cell
Study
Etymology
芽 combines 艹 (grass/plant) with 牙, which likely contributes the sound and may suggest a pointed shape like a tusk or tooth, fitting the image of a sprout breaking through.
Meaning mnemonic
The plant top 艹 sits above 牙, which looks like a tusk poking up. Picture a tiny sprout pushing through the soil like a sharp tusk emerging.
Reading mnemonic
For ガ, imagine a gardener gasping with delight when the first bud appears: gasp -> ガ, and the sprout breaks through the ground.