蒔く

• Reading: まく
• Romaji: maku
• Kanji breakdown: 蒔 (ji/ma) — sow, plant seeds
• Pronunciation: /ma.kɯ/

Meaning

To sow seeds; to plant by scattering. The agricultural act of spreading seeds in soil.

A Group 1 (godan) transitive verb. Specifically used for planting seeds by scattering them: 種を蒔く (sow seeds). Also used figuratively in the proverb 蒔かぬ種は生えぬ (you reap what you sow — literally, seeds you don't sow won't grow). Written as 蒔く to distinguish from 撒く (to scatter/sprinkle). Often written in hiragana as まく.

Examples

1. 春になったら花の種を蒔こうと思う。 I'm thinking of sowing flower seeds when spring comes.
2. 祖父は毎年畑に野菜の種を蒔いている。 My grandfather sows vegetable seeds in the field every year.
3. 庭に芝生の種を蒔いたが芽が出るか心配だ。 I sowed grass seeds in the yard, but I'm worried whether they'll sprout.

Usage Guide

Context: agriculture, gardening, proverbs

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

The kanji 蒔 combines 艸 (grass radical) and 時 (time/season), suggesting planting at the right season. The native verb まく has been used since ancient agricultural times.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal