Definitions

péi (verb) to cultivate; to nurture
péi (verb) to bank up with earth
péi (verb) to train (people)

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "培" is constructed from the semantic component "土", meaning earth or soil, and the phonetic component "咅", which originally indicated its pronunciation. Etymologically, it derives from the concrete action of banking up soil around plants or foundations, a sense documented in early Chinese texts. From this agricultural and construction-related origin, its meaning gradually broadened to include the figurative sense of nurturing, fostering, or developing, as evidenced in later formations such as 培養 (to cultivate) and 培訓 (to train). This expansion represents a shift from a purely physical denotation to one encompassing abstract processes of support and growth.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

养孩子很重要。

Péiyǎng háizi hěn zhòngyào.

Raising children is very important.

学校在训新老师。

Xuéxiào zài péixùn xīn lǎoshī.

The school is training new teachers.

我们要养阅读习惯。

Wǒmen yào péiyǎng yuèdú xíguàn.

We need to cultivate a reading habit.

他正在育新品种。

Tā zhèngzài péiyù xīn pǐnzhǒng.

He is cultivating a new variety.

公司注重人才养。

Gōngsī zhùzhòng réncái péiyǎng.

The company emphasizes talent development.

耐心育才能开花结果。

Nàixīn péiyù cái néng kāihuā jiéguǒ.

Only patient nurturing can make it blossom and bear fruit.

他的成功得益于老师的栽

Tā de chénggōng déyì yú lǎoshī de zāipéi.

His success benefited from his teacher's mentorship.

这个项目旨在养青少年的社会责任感。

Zhège xiàngmù zhǐ zài péiyǎng qīngshàonián de shèhuì zérèngǎn.

This project aims to foster a sense of social responsibility in teenagers.