Japanese word

生える

Pronunciation

Romajihaeru

Meaning

  • verbgrow

Example

庭に新しい草が生えました。niwa ni atara shi i kusa ga ha e ma shi ta

New grass grew in the garden.

Illustration for 生える (grow)

More examples

雨の後、庭にきのこが生えました。ame no ato niwa ni ki no ko ga ha e ma shi ta

Mushrooms grew in the garden after the rain.

Core concept

Expresses the natural appearance of new growth from a place where it was not previously visible.

Common phrases

  • 雑草が生えるzas sō ga ha e ru

    weeds grow

  • 毛が生えるke ga ha e ru

    body hair grows

  • 歯が生えるha ga ha e ru

    teeth come in

Similar words

育つsodatsu: To develop and become larger or stronger over time.
伸びるnobiru: To become longer, taller, or more developed as growth continues.

Definition in Japanese

植物や毛、歯などが、もとの場所から伸びて現れる。shoku butsu ya ke ha na do ga mo to no ba sho ka ra no bi te arawa re ru

Word origin

The native verb 生える (haeru) continues an old Japanese verb for natural growth, linking its meanings of growing and sprouting to one long-standing native sense.

Usage tips

  • In Japanese, 生える (haeru, "to grow") is intransitive, while 生やす (hayasu, "to make something grow") is transitive.

Other meanings

  • sproutverb
  • spring upverb
  • come inverb

Opposites

Related words

  • 生え方haekataway something growsnoun

Word lists with this word