noun
Botanical seed or hard pit of a fruit.
このトマトの種を植えましょう。
Let's plant these tomato seeds.
桃の種は固くて食べられない。
The peach stone is hard and inedible.
noun
offspring; progeny; lineage; bloodline
Refers to descendants or family line; sense 3 (paternal blood/lineage) is a more specific, somewhat old-fashioned use often written 胤.
彼は名門の種を引いている。
He comes from a distinguished lineage.
この犬は優れた種の子だ。
This dog is the offspring of an excellent breed.
noun
Biological term for male reproductive fluid; can be used colloquially.
精子は男性の種にあたる。
Sperm corresponds to the male seed.
noun
Abstract origin or root cause of something, often used in phrases like 争いの種 (cause of conflict).
小さな誤解が争いの種になることもある。
A small misunderstanding can sometimes become the seed of conflict.
彼の一言が問題の種だった。
His single remark was the source of the problem.
noun
material; subject matter; theme; news copy
Raw material for a story, article, or discussion; can refer to a news tip or source.
記者は記事の種を探している。
The reporter is looking for material for an article.
この事件は小説の種になりそうだ。
This incident could become the subject of a novel.
noun
ingredient; main ingredient; leaven
Cooking term; often refers to the key component of a dish, especially the topping of sushi, or a starter/leaven in baking.
寿司の種には新鮮な魚を使います。
We use fresh fish for the sushi topping.
パンを作るには種が必要だ。
You need a leaven to make bread.
noun
The hidden mechanism or secret behind a magic trick or scheme.
手品の種を明かしてはいけない。
You mustn't reveal the secret of the magic trick.
彼の成功には何か種があるに違いない。
There must be some trick behind his success.
noun
10-point card; tane; animal card
Hanafuda term for the 10-point animal cards; often written in katakana as タネ.
花札では、タネは10点の札です。
In hanafuda, the tane is a 10-point card.
Native Japanese word. The kanji 種 is conventionally associated with 'seed' and related meanings. The historical derivation is uncertain.