培(つちか)う

つちかう
godan verb
to cultivate; to foster; to nurture
1. to cultivate; to foster; to nurture
to develop or nurture qualities, skills, or relationships over time
信頼(しんらい)を培(つちか)う。
To cultivate trust.
長年(ながねん)培(つちか)ってきた技術(ぎじゅつ)がある。
There are skills cultivated over many years.
子(こ)どもの感性(かんせい)を培(つちか)うことが大切(たいせつ)だ。
It's important to nurture children's sensitivity.

培(つちか)う means to develop something gradually over time, typically abstract qualities.

VERB TYPE:

  • Godan verb (う-verb)
  • Transitive

ETYMOLOGY:

  • 土(つち) (soil) + 飼(か)う (to raise)
  • Originally meant agricultural cultivation
  • Now primarily figurative

KANJI NOTE:

  • Uses 培(つちか)う (cultivate)
  • Related to 栽培(さいばい) (cultivation)

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 信頼(しんらい)を培(つちか)う (cultivate trust)
  • 技術(ぎじゅつ)を培(つちか)う (cultivate skills)
  • 感性(かんせい)を培(つちか)う (nurture sensitivity)
  • 友情(ゆうじょう)を培(つちか)う (foster friendship)
  • 関係(かんけい)を培(つちか)う (nurture relationships)
  • 力(ちから)を培(つちか)う (develop ability)

USAGE NOTES:

  • Almost always used figuratively
  • Implies gradual, patient development
  • Positive connotation
  • Often used with ～てきた to emphasize the process over time

SIMILAR VERBS:

  • 育(そだ)てる (to raise, grow)
  • 養(やしな)う (to nurture, support)
  • 磨(みが)く (to polish, refine)

DIFFERENCE FROM SIMILAR VERBS:

  • 培(つちか)う: Emphasizes gradual development over time
  • 育(そだ)てる: More general raising/growing
  • 養(やしな)う: Includes sense of providing sustenance

REGISTER: Somewhat formal. Common in written Japanese and speeches.

general
Added 2026.1.22 21:04
07500/07926_tsuchikau