Translation and Meaning of: 泉 - izumi

If you have ever wondered about the origin of the Japanese word 泉 (いずみ), which means "spring" or "source", or even confused it with its use in proper names, this article will uncover everything. Here, you will not only understand the etymology and meaning of this fascinating kanji, but also discover how it is used in everyday Japanese, from people’s names to famous places. Furthermore, we have separated practical memorization tips and even curiosities that go beyond the dictionary. And if you use Anki or another spaced repetition system, you can take advantage of the sentences we included to boost your studies.

Etymology and Origin of the Kanji 泉

The kanji 泉 is composed of two radicals: 白 (white) and 水 (water). Together, they form the idea of "pure water" or "crystalline spring," which makes perfect sense to represent a spring. In ancient China, this character was already used to refer to natural springs, and the Japanese adopted this representation when they imported the kanjis. Interestingly, in some regional dialects of Japan, いずみ can also be pronounced as "izumi," especially in place names.

One interesting thing is that, although 泉 generally refers to water sources, it also appears in like hot spring (onsen), which means "hot spring." This shows how the kanji retains its essence even when combined with other ideograms. And if you've ever visited an onsen in Japan, you know that the purity of the water is something taken very seriously — another proof that the original meaning of the character remains alive.

Lies in Everyday Life and Japanese Culture

In Japan, 泉 is not just a standalone word in the dictionary — it is present in everyday life. Many cities have "Izumi" in their name, such as Izumi-ku in Sendai or Izumi City in Osaka, always connected to regions with natural springs or rivers. Moreover, it is a fairly common given name, both for women and men. If you watch anime or doramas, you may have come across a character named Izumi, often associated with characteristics like purity or vitality.

Another curious use is in poetic expressions. The image of a crystal-clear spring is often used in Japanese literature to symbolize renewal or the origin of something. For example, the phrase 泉が湧く (izumi ga waku, "the spring springs forth") can be used metaphorically to describe the emergence of new ideas or emotions. It is no wonder that this kanji carries a certain lyrical weight.

Tips for Memorizing and Curiosities

If you're struggling to how to write 泉, a helpful technique is to break down the kanji: imagine "white water" (白 + 水) gushing from a spring. Another trick is to associate it with words you already know, like "onsen." As for the pronunciation, notice that "いずみ" sounds soft, almost like the murmur of flowing water — a phonetic coincidence that helps to embed it in memory.

A curiosity that few people know: in Google searches, many associate 泉 with "baby names" or "spiritual meaning," as natural springs have a strong symbolism in Shintoism. It's also common to see questions about how to differentiate 泉 from similar kanjis, such as 泊 (to stop, to stay overnight). If this applies to you, pay attention to the radical 水 — it is the surefire clue to identify that the word is related to water.

Vocabulary

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Synonyms and similar words

• 泉源 (Izumi-gen) - Water source, origin of a spring.
• 湧水 (Yūzui) - Water that springs or emerges from an underground source.
• 清水 (Shimizu) - Clean, pure water, generally used for drinking.
• 水源 (Sui-gen) - Source or origin of water, such as rivers or lakes.
• 水脈 (Sui-m Myaku) - Veins or channels of water that feed a spring or watercourse.
• 水泉 (Sui-sen) - Source of fresh and clean water, usually with special characteristics.
• 水環境 (Sui-kankō) - Aquatic environment, ecosystem related to water.
• 水系 (Sui-kei) - Water system, river interconnections, and sources in an area.
• 水流 (Sui-ryū) - Water flow, movement of water currents.
• 水路 (Sui-ro) - Waterway, a means of aquatic transport.
• 水源地 (Sui-gen-chi) - Specific location where water originates.
• 水源地域 (Sui-gen-chi-iki) - Specific geographic area of water origin.
• 水源地帯 (Sui-gen-chi-tai) - Strip or area of water sources.
• 水源地区 (Sui-gen-chi-ku) - Area or district where the water sources are located.
• 水源地系 (Sui-gen-chi-kei) - Water source system in a certain area.
• 水源地水域 (Sui-gen-chi-suiiki) - Water area linked to a specific water source.
• 水源地水系 (Sui-gen-chi-sui-kei) - Hydric system that originates from a specific source.
• 水源地水路 (Sui-gen-chi-sui-ro) - Water channel associated with a specific water source.
• 水源地水源 (Sui-gen-chi-sui-gen) - Water sources located in a specific area.
• 水源地水脈 (Sui-gen-chi-sui-m Myaku) - Water veins that originate from a local spring.
• 水源地水流 (Sui-gen-chi-sui-ryū) - Water flow coming from a specific source.
• 水源地水路網 (Sui-gen-chi-sui-ro-mō) - Water channel network that originates from a spring.
• 水源地水路系 (Sui-gen-chi-sui-ro-kei) - Water channel system related to a source.
• 水源地水路網区域 (Sui-gen-chi-sui-ro-mō qū-iki) - Area of the water channel network of a specific spring.