spring

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 泉 has 9 strokes and denotes a spring where water emerges.
• Basic usage: 温泉 is read おんせん, and 泉 is read いずみ.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• A spring and a hot spring
  • 澄んだ泉 is a clear spring.
  • 温泉の湯気 is steam from a hot spring. 泉 alone does not mean the water is hot.
• The setting of a story
  • 温泉を舞台にした物語 means a story set at a hot spring. Here, 舞台 refers to the story's setting, not a literal performance stage.