培育

• Pinyin: péi yù
• Hanzi breakdown: 培 = 土 (earth) + 咅 (phonetic) — to nurture; 育 = 月 (flesh) + 子 (child, inverted) — to give birth and raise

Meaning

To nurture; to breed; to cultivate. Used for raising organisms, developing new varieties, or fostering growth, often in scientific or agricultural contexts.

Similar to 培养 but with a stronger connotation of biological or agricultural cultivation. Often used for 培育新品种 (breed new varieties), 培育幼苗 (nurture seedlings). Can also be used metaphorically for developing talent or markets (培育人才, 培育市场). More formal and technical than 培养.

Examples

1. 科学家们正在培育一种新的水稻品种。 Scientists are breeding a new variety of rice.
2. 这个基地专门培育热带水果。 This base specialises in cultivating tropical fruits.
3. 花了好几年时间，他们终于培育出了抗旱的小麦。 After several years, they finally developed a drought-resistant wheat.

Usage Guide

Context: agriculture, science, business strategy

Tone: technical

Do Say

• 他们成功培育出了新品种的玫瑰。(They successfully bred a new variety of rose.)
• 公司正在培育新的市场。(The company is cultivating new markets.)

Don't Say

• 培育一个好习惯 (Avoid using 培育 for habits — use 培养; 培育 implies biological or organisational growth, not personal habit formation)

Origin & History

A compound of 培 (to nurture with earth) and 育 (to rear/give birth to) — to nurture something into growth and maturity.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal