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grow · raise · bring up · nurture
N3
On: いくKun: そだつ、そだてる

Memory Aid

The kanji 育 originally depicted a child (the top part, resembling an inverted 子) being nurtured, illustrating the concepts of **growth** and **raising**.

Imagine a baby (the inverted child at the top) being fed and cared for (the bottom part, resembling 肉 for sustenance), allowing it to **grow** and be **brought up**.

'IKU' — think of 'EEK!' as a child suddenly GROWS so fast!

Vocabulary

育つそだつto grow (intransitive)
育てるそだてるto raise, to bring up
教育きょういくeducation
体育たいいくphysical education, P.E.
育児いくじchildcare

Example Sentences

この木は早く育ちます。

This tree grows quickly.

私は犬を三匹育てています。

I am raising three dogs.

日本では教育がとても重要です。

Education is very important in Japan.

体育の時間は楽しいです。

P.E. class is fun.

Related Kanji