1.
to grow, to sprout
For plants, hair, or teeth to emerge and develop.
草が生えている。
Grass is growing.
歯が生えてきた。
Teeth have started to come in.
髭が生えてきた。
A beard has started to grow.
庭に雑草がたくさん生えている。
A lot of weeds are growing in the garden.
古いパンにカビが生えてしまったので、捨てるしかない。
Mold has grown on the old bread, so there's no choice but to throw it away.
生える means for something to grow or sprout naturally.
TRANSITIVITY:
- Type: 自動詞 (intransitive)
- Pair: 生やす (transitive - to grow, let grow)
WHAT CAN 生える:
- 草が生える: grass grows
- 歯が生える: teeth come in
- 髭が生える: beard grows
- 髪が生える: hair grows
- カビが生える: mold grows
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 〜が生えている: ~ is growing (state)
- 〜が生えてきた: ~ has started to grow
HOMOPHONE DISTINCTION:
- 生える: to grow (plants, hair, teeth)
- 映える: to look good, to stand out