also: ぐさ
Used as a noun or suffix to indicate the source, cause, or origin of something. Often appears in compounds with the voiced form ぐさ.
Refers to a type, variety, or kind of something. Often used in the pattern 〜の種.
counter for varieties
Counter used for types or varieties of things. Commonly used with numbers to count different kinds.
His failure became the talk of the whole village.
The way he panicked became a source of amusement for everyone.
A whale is a kind of mammal.
Goods of various kinds are lined up on the shelves.
The three sacred treasures are also called the three imperial regalia.
They offered five kinds of offerings before the deity.
原因 is a more formal and direct word for 'cause', while 種 often carries a nuance of a latent or underlying source.
種類 is the standard word for 'kind' or 'type', while 種 is more literary or used in compounds and counters.
various; a variety of; diverse
many kinds; a great variety
kindling
laughingstock
Standard kanji spelling for this noun and suffix.
Voiced form used in compounds.
The kanji 種 is used for its meaning of 'seed' or 'kind'. The reading くさ is a native Japanese word, possibly related to 草 (くさ, grass) in the sense of 'origin' or 'source', but the exact derivation is uncertain.