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道Nihongo Path
培

培·cultivate, foster

On-yomi
バイ
Kun-yomi
つちか(う)

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.

11 strokes, numbered in writing order. Data: KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0).

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
培養ばいようculture (of cells), cultivation
培うつちかうto cultivate, foster
栽培さいばいcultivation
培養液ばいようえきculture fluid

Example sentences

  1. 留学で培った語学力が役に立った。

    りゅうがくでつちかったごがくりょくがやくにたった。

    The language skills I built up while studying abroad came in handy.

  2. 研究室で細胞を培養している。

    けんきゅうしつでさいぼうをばいようしている。

    They are culturing cells in the laboratory.

  3. 長年培ってきた信頼を失いたくない。

    ながねんつちかってきたしんらいをうしないたくない。

    I don't want to lose the trust built up over many years.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Reading 培う as ばいう — the kun reading is つちかう
  • Using 培う for plants — literal growing is 栽培する; 培う is for abilities and trust

Memory aid

Picture it

Earth 土 heaped up around a root — piling soil around a plant so it can grow, which is also how you nurture an ability.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 培 mean?