養

音読おんよみ: ヨウ

訓読くんよみ: やしな

画数かくすう: 15 strokes

部首ぶしゅ: 食(しょくへん)

Meaning

Foster, nourish, support, raise — often used for providing care, sustenance, and education, both physically and mentally.


  • 栄養えいよう — nutrition
  • 教養きょうよう — education, culture
  • 養育よういく — child-rearing
  • 養子ようし — adopted child
  • 休養きゅうよう — rest, recuperation
  • やしなう — to support, to raise

This character includes the radical for "food" and phonetic elements suggesting action. Together, it implies providing sustenance — not only through meals, but also through emotional and educational support. It's a core concept in caregiving and family life.

おやどもをやしないます。
Parents raise and support their children.

栄養えいようのある食事しょくじをとりましょう。
Let’s have a nutritious meal.

教養きょうようのあるひとになりたいです。
I want to become a well-educated person.

🎧 “ヨウ” is commonly used in compound words like 栄養 and 教養. The kun-yomi “やしなう” is more personal and appears in phrases about family and responsibility.

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