This is the 2750th most frequent Japanese word.
芽
"芽" means "bud" or "sprout."
芽 is used to refer to the physical buds of plants.
桜の木の芽が春に開く。
The buds of the cherry tree open in spring.
芽 is metaphorically used to describe the beginning or emergence of talent.
彼の才能の芽が見え始めた。
The budding of his talent has started to show.
芽 is used figuratively to symbolize potential or the initial stages of ideas.