添える

• Reading: そえる
• Romaji: soeru
• Kanji breakdown: 添 (ten/so) — add, accompany, garnish
• Pronunciation: /so.e.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To add to; to accompany; to garnish. Used for attaching something supplementary to a main item.

A Group 2 (ichidan) transitive verb meaning to add something alongside or as an accompaniment. Common in food (garnishing), gifts (attaching a card or note), and figurative uses (lending a hand). The nuance is of gently placing something beside the main element to complement it.

Examples

1. プレゼントに手紙を添えて渡した。 I added a letter to the gift when I gave it.
2. 料理にパセリを添えると見た目がよくなる。 Garnishing the dish with parsley makes it look better.
3. 申請書に必要な書類を添えて提出してください。 Please submit the application form along with the required documents.

Usage Guide

Context: gifts, cooking, documents

Tone: polite

Origin & History

Native Japanese verb. The kanji 添 combines 氵 (water) with 天 (heaven), evoking the image of water gently flowing alongside — something placed beside another to complement it.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal