苗(なえ)

苗(なえ) refers to a young plant grown from seed, ready for transplanting.

COMMON COMPOUNDS:

• 苗木(なえぎ): sapling, young tree
• 苗床(なえどこ): seedbed, nursery bed
• 苗代(なわしろ): rice seedling bed
• 野菜(やさい)の苗(なえ): vegetable seedlings

COMMON EXPRESSIONS:

• 苗(なえ)を植(う)える: to plant seedlings
• 苗(なえ)を育(そだ)てる: to grow seedlings
• 苗(なえ)を買(か)う: to buy seedlings

CULTURAL NOTE:
田植(たう)え (rice planting) is a significant agricultural event in Japan where 稲(いね)の苗(なえ) (rice seedlings) are transplanted to 水田(すいでん) (paddy fields), traditionally done in late spring.

RELATED:

• 種(たね): seed
• 芽(め): sprout, bud