Translation guide
The English word 'nurture' covers raising children, fostering growth, and providing care. Japanese uses different words depending on what is being nurtured and the relationship.
To bring up a child with affection, providing emotional and physical care.
General verb for raising children, plants, or animals. Implies providing care and guidance.
彼女は三人の子供を愛情を込めて育てた。
She nurtured her three children with love.
Emphasizes nurturing with deep affection and care, often used for children or emotional bonds.
親の愛が子供の心を育む。
Parental love nurtures a child's heart.
Formal term for child-rearing, often used in legal or social welfare contexts.
養育環境が子供の発達に影響を与える。
The nurturing environment affects a child's development.
To encourage the development of something abstract like a skill, talent, or relationship.
Commonly used for nurturing abstract things like talents, friendships, or culture.
友情を育むには時間がかかる。
It takes time to nurture a friendship.
Can also be used for developing skills or businesses, but more concrete than 育む.
Means to cultivate or foster, often used for strength, habits, or qualities. Can sound formal.
To take care of living things by providing what they need to grow.
General phrase for taking care of someone or something, including feeding, cleaning, etc.
彼女は病気の母の世話をしている。
She is nurturing her sick mother.
Used for raising plants or animals with ongoing care.
この植物は日光をたっぷり浴びて育ててください。
Nurture this plant with plenty of sunlight.
Emphasizes raising with great care and affection, often for pets or prized plants.
彼はその犬を家族のように大切に育てた。
He nurtured the dog like a family member.
To take care of one's own well-being or personal development.
Common phrase meaning to take good care of oneself, physically and mentally.
ストレスが多い時は、自分を大切にすることが必要だ。
When stressed, it's necessary to nurture yourself.
Means to promote self-growth, often used in self-help contexts.
新しい趣味は自己成長を促す。
New hobbies nurture personal growth.
育てる is the most common and versatile word for raising children, plants, or animals. 育む is more poetic and emphasizes the emotional or abstract aspect of nurturing, like love or talent. Use 育む for intangible things or when you want to sound literary.
English 'nurture' is often used broadly. In Japanese, you must specify what is being nurtured. For example, 'nurture a business' is better translated as 事業を育てる (じぎょうをそだてる) rather than using a direct equivalent. Avoid using 育む for concrete, non-living things like businesses unless you want a very poetic tone.
彼は自分の才能を育てるために努力した。
He worked hard to nurture his talent.
読書は想像力を養う。
Reading nurtures the imagination.