培养

• Pinyin: péi yǎng
• Hanzi breakdown: 培 = 土 (earth) + 咅 (phonetic) — to nurture like soil around roots; 养 = 羊 (sheep) + food component — to feed and raise

Meaning

To cultivate; to foster; to develop. To nurture the growth of skills, talent, habits, or character over time.

A widely used verb emphasising long-term development and nurturing — 培养人才 (cultivate talent), 培养兴趣 (develop an interest), 培养习惯 (build a habit). More abstract and broader than 培训 (which focuses on structured instruction). Can also be used in biology: 培养细菌 (culture bacteria). Implies patience and sustained effort.

Examples

1. 父母应该从小培养孩子的阅读习惯。 Parents should cultivate their children's reading habits from an early age.
2. 这所大学培养了很多优秀的毕业生。 This university has produced many outstanding graduates.
3. 他正在努力培养自己对音乐的兴趣。 He is working hard to develop his interest in music.

Usage Guide

Context: education, parenting, career development

Tone: encouraging

Do Say

• 我们要培养年轻人的创新能力。(We should cultivate young people's ability to innovate.)
• 好习惯需要慢慢培养。(Good habits need to be developed gradually.)

Don't Say

• 培养一棵大树 (Don't use 培养 for physically growing a tree — use 种植 or 栽培; 培养 is for developing abstract qualities, or culturing organisms in science)

Origin & History

A compound of 培 (to heap earth around roots, nurture) and 养 (to raise/nourish) — to nurture growth over time.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal