源げん泉せん

源みなもとN1sense 2
源 is the common, everyday word for 'source' or 'origin', while 源泉 is more formal and often used in technical, business, or natural-spring contexts.
起き源げんN1sense 2
起源 refers to the historical or evolutionary origin of something, whereas 源泉 suggests a continuous, ongoing wellspring.
由ゆ来らいN2sense 2
由来 emphasizes the historical background or derivation of a thing, while 源泉 focuses on it being an active, sustaining source.
宝ほう庫こ
源泉 means a 'wellspring' or origin of something abstract like emotion or information, while 宝庫 figuratively describes a place, person, or thing overflowing with valuable things.

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水すい源げんN1
源泉 typically refers to the source of a hot spring or to an abstract wellspring (e.g. of inspiration), whereas 水源 is used for ordinary rivers and water supplies.
供きょう給きゅう源げんN1
源泉 emphasizes the fundamental or original wellspring of something (often abstract, like income or tradition), while 供給源 focuses on the practical origin of a supply chain or resource.

Don't confuse with

源げん流りゅう
源泉 refers to a spring or fount (e.g. a hot spring source) rather than the upper course of a river, which is what 源流 describes.

Word family

源げん泉せん税ぜい
withholding tax; tax withheld at source
源げん泉せん徴ちょう収しゅう
tax withholding at source
源げん泉せん課か税ぜい
tax withholding at source
源げん泉せん所しょ得とく税ぜい
withholding income tax; income tax withheld at source
国こく内ない源げん泉せん所しょ得とく
domestic source income
源げん泉せんかけ流ながし
free-flowing hot spring water from the source

Written forms

源げん泉せんUsage99%
Standard kanji spelling; high-frequency news word.
原げん泉せんUsage<1%
rarely-used kanji form
Rarely used kanji form.
ゲンセンUsage<1%

Etymology

Compound of 源 (gen, 'source') and 泉 (sen, 'spring'). The kanji combination directly conveys the idea of a water source, extended metaphorically to any origin or wellspring.