植え付ける

• Reading: うえつける
• Romaji: uetsukeru
• Kanji breakdown: 植 (shoku/u) — plant, grow; 付 (fu/tsu) — attach, affix
• Pronunciation: /ɯ.e.t͡sɯ.ke.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To implant; to instil; to embed. Used for embedding ideas, values, fears, or beliefs into a person's mind, often with lasting effect.

A Group 2 (ichidan) compound verb combining 植える (ueru, to plant) and 付ける (tsukeru, to attach/affix). The physical image of planting a seedling that takes root underpins the figurative usage: something implanted in the mind grows and becomes deeply entrenched. Common in psychological, educational, and political discourse when describing the formation of lasting attitudes or beliefs.

Examples

1. 幼少期の体験が根深い恐怖感を心に植え付けた。 A childhood experience implanted a deep-rooted fear in his mind.
2. 優れた指導者は次世代に夢と可能性を植え付ける。 A great leader instills dreams and a sense of possibility in the next generation.
3. 誤った偏見を子供たちに植え付けることの害は計り知れない。 The harm of implanting false prejudices in children is immeasurable.

Usage Guide

Context: psychology, education, propaganda, parenting

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 植える (ueru, to plant), derived from Old Japanese, and 付ける (tsukeru, to attach). The combination conveys the sense of firmly embedding something — as a seedling is pressed into soil — so that it takes root and grows.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Universal