Meaning

Primary

To Foster

Alternatives

To Raise, To Develop, To Cultivate

Word Type

transitive verb, godan verb

Explanation

This word consists of kanji with hiragana attached. Because the hiragana ends with an sound, you know this word is a verb. The kanji itself means foster so the verb vocab version is to foster or to raise. This can also refer to fostering a skill or ability, so can also mean to develop or to cultivate.

Reading

やしなう
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

Since this word consists of a kanji with hiragana attached, you can bet that it will use the kun'yomi reading. You didn't learn that reading with this kanji, so here's a mnemonic to help you: You're offering to raise some girl as your own. After the paperwork is over, you can finally say: "Yah, she now (やしな) is my kid!"

Context

Patterns of Use

Common Word Combinations

  • お金で養う

    to support financially

    皆で養う

    to all raise someone together, to cultivate something all together

    自分で養う

    to raise by oneself

Context Sentences

家族を養うにはお金がかかります。

It takes money to raise a family.

ワニカニがトーフグを養っているの?それともトーフグがワニカニを養っているの?

Does WaniKani foster Tofugu or does Tofugu foster WaniKani?

うちの学校では、考える力を養う教育に力を入れています。

At our school, we focus on education that nurtures critical thinking skills.

Kanji Composition