also: ぜんまい
A mechanical spring, such as a coil or leaf spring. The reading ぜんまい specifically refers to a spiral spring or mainspring.
This toy works by a spring.
The clock's mainspring has wound down.
springiness; bounce; resilience
Only with reading ばね / バネ
Refers to the spring-like quality in one's legs or body, often used in sports or physical descriptions. Only used with the reading ばね.
He can jump high because he has springs in his legs.
These shoes have good bounce and are easy to run in.
springboard; impetus; catalyst
Only with reading ばね / バネ
Figurative use: something that provides momentum or a starting point for further action. Only used with the reading ばね.
He used his failure as a springboard to success.
That experience became the impetus for his life.
I attached a spring to the door so it closes automatically.
He used the spring in his legs to jump high.
He turned his failure into a springboard and won the next match.
This mattress has a strong spring, so it's comfortable to sleep on.
契機 is a formal word for a turning point or opportunity, while ばね in its figurative sense emphasizes the energy or momentum something provides for further action.
バネ specifically means a mechanical spring, whereas コイル can describe any spiral shape including electrical windings.
ばね is often counted with 本 in everyday speech; 発条 can also be treated as a machine part, but 本 is the natural choice here.
Rare kanji form; the reading ばね is a jukujikun.
Rare kanji form.
Rare kanji form.
Reading ぜんまい is used for the mainspring of a clock or a spiral spring; included as a search variant.