expression, godan verb (-ku)
sow seeds
Literal meaning: to plant seeds in soil. Used in gardening, farming, and metaphorical contexts.
春になったら庭に花の種をまきます。
When spring comes, I will sow flower seeds in the garden.
農家は畑に野菜の種をまいた。
The farmer sowed vegetable seeds in the field.
expression, godan verb (-ku)
sow the seeds of (something)
Idiomatic use: to cause or initiate something, often negative (conflict, discord, etc.). Typically used as ...の種をまく.
彼の無責任な発言が争いの種をまいた。
His irresponsible remark sowed the seeds of conflict.
その政策は社会に不安の種をまいた。
That policy sowed the seeds of anxiety in society.