sprout, bud, germ; signs, beginnings, first indications (often metaphorical)

💡 Nuance & Usage: 植物の芽生えだけでなく、新しい文化や思想、傾向などが現れ始める初期の段階を比喩的に表す場合が多いです。 (Not just plant sprouts, but often used metaphorically to describe the initial stage when a new culture, idea, or trend begins to emerge.)