Meaning
Bud, sprout, or germ. A symbol of life beginning to grow.
- 芽 — bud, sprout
- 発芽 — germination
- 新芽 — new sprout
- 豆芽 — bean sprout
- 芽生える — to sprout, to bud
The top part is the grass radical (艹), indicating plants. The lower part is 牙 (fang), providing the sound. This kanji combines the ideas of “plant” and “emerging force,” giving us the concept of a growing bud or sprout.
春には 新芽が 出てきます。
In spring, new buds appear.
彼には 才能の芽がある。
He shows signs of talent.
The kun-yomi め is more common in daily life (like in 芽が出る). The on-yomi ガ appears in compound words like 発芽 and 新芽.