Definition
养 (yǎng) is the general, everyday verb for 'to raise' (children or animals), 'to keep' (pets), and 'to support financially'. It covers the whole process of caring for someone or something over time. This contrasts with 养活 (yǎng huo), which is more colloquial and often implies just barely providing basic necessities, and with 养老 (yǎng lǎo), which specifically means supporting elderly parents. (生 shēng means 'to give birth to', not to raise.)
verb
to raise (children or animals)to bring upto keep (pets)to support (financially)to provide for
Easily confused
- 夹jiālook-alike(verb) to press from either side; to pinch between
- 样yàngsound-alike(classifier) kind, type, variety
- 羊yánglook-alikesheep; goat (generic term)
- 痒yǎngsound-alikeitchy
- 善shànlook-alikevirtuous; kind-hearted; benevolent
- 扬yángsound-aliketo raise, to lift up
- 着zhelook-alike(particle) indicates an action in progress or a continuing state
- 仰yǎngsound-aliketo face upward; to look up
Examples
- 养。Tā měitiān zài jiā yǎng māo hé gǒu.She raises cats and dogs at home every day.
- ，养。Tā gōngzuò hěn xīnkǔ, yào yǎng liǎng gè háizi.He works very hard and has to raise two children.
- ，养。Wǒ měi gè yuè gěi fùmǔ qián, yǎng tāmen.I give money to my parents every month to support them.
Browse more HSK 3 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.