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

培 means to cultivate, earth up, foster, or train. As a phono-semantic compound, it uses the earth radical 土 (tǔ) on the left, linking the character to soil-based agricultural work. The right component, 咅 (pǒu), provides the pronunciation. Its core meaning comes from the farming practice of piling soil around young plants to protect, nourish, and help them grow straight. This physical act of cultivation naturally extended to human development, where it now often describes nurturing talent, providing education, and fostering intellectual 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.