Translation guide
The English verb 'sow' has two main meanings: planting seeds and spreading something (often negative) that grows over time. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each, from literal farming to figurative use.
To put seeds in the ground so they will grow.
sow seeds · sow wheat · sow in spring
The most common and natural way to say 'sow seeds'. Literally 'scatter seeds'. Used for both literal and figurative contexts.
To cause something like doubt, fear, or discord to spread and develop.
sow doubt · sow discord · sow confusion
Figurative extension of 'sow seeds'. Used with abstract nouns like doubt, discord, etc. Very natural and common.
彼の言葉が疑惑の種をまいた。
His words sowed seeds of doubt.
種をまく (sow seeds) is for scattering small seeds. 植える (うえる) means 'to plant' seedlings or larger plants. Don't use 植える for sowing seeds.
稲の苗を植える。
Plant rice seedlings.
The noun 'sow' (female pig) is 雌豚 (めぶた) in Japanese. Do not confuse the verb with this noun.
春に野菜の種をまきます。
I sow vegetable seeds in spring.
Noun form meaning 'seed sowing'. Often used for the activity or season of sowing.
種まきは秋に行います。
Sowing is done in autumn.
Single kanji verb specifically for sowing seeds. More technical or literary. Often written in hiragana as まく.
畑に麦を播く。
Sow wheat in the field.
その噂は人々の間に不安の種をまいた。
The rumor sowed seeds of anxiety among the people.
General verb meaning 'to spread' (information, feelings, etc.). Less vivid than the seed metaphor but widely used.
彼は悪意のある噂を広めた。
He sowed malicious rumors.
Literally 'scatter around'. Can be used for spreading things like money, propaganda, or discord, often with a negative nuance of indiscriminate scattering.
政府は補助金をばらまいた。
The government sowed subsidies (handed out money indiscriminately).