ichidan verb, transitive verb
The ordinary use: putting seeds, seedlings, trees, flowers, or crops into soil so that they will grow. It is transitive: 花を植える, 木を植える.
庭に桜の木を植えた。
I planted a cherry tree in the garden.
春になったら畑にトマトの苗を植える
When spring comes, we plant tomato seedlings in the field.
ichidan verb, transitive verb
Extended physical use for putting something into another material or surface, especially in technical contexts. The old printing use 活字を植える means to set movable type.
人工歯根をあごの骨に植える手術を受けた。
I had surgery to implant an artificial tooth root in my jawbone.
昔の印刷では、職人が一字ずつ活字を植えた。
In old-style printing, craftsmen set the type one character at a time.
ichidan verb, transitive verb
inoculate; introduce a microbe or pathogen
Technical biological or medical use for introducing bacteria, viruses, or another agent into a culture medium, organism, or tissue.
研究者は培地に菌を植えて、増殖の様子を観察した。
The researcher inoculated the culture medium with bacteria and observed how they grew.
ichidan verb, transitive verb
instill; inculcate
Figurative use for placing an idea, feeling, value, or attitude in someone's mind. In everyday Japanese, 植え付ける is often more explicit for this meaning, so 植える can sound somewhat written or figurative.
その経験は、彼の心に強い不信感を植えた。
That experience planted a strong sense of distrust in his heart.