Sodateru is the Japanese verb for ‘to bring up’, ‘to raise’, or ‘to grow’

What does “sodateru” mean in Japanese?

Native speakers say “sodateru” to mean ‘to bring up’, ‘to raise’, ‘to grow’, or such in Japanese. Perhaps, some Japanese learners know this verb as it is sometimes used in Japanese movies, songs, novels, manga, anime, and the like. In this blog post, however, I will explain it together with its major conjugations. And also, I will explain how to use them through example sentences. My explanations would help Japanese learners use “sodateru” more properly. Then, let’s get started!

Contents

• Definition and meanings of “sodateru”
  • Example #1: how to say “grow” in Japanese
• Sodatenai: the nai form of “sodateru”
  • Example #2: how to say “don’t grow” in Japanese
• Sodateyou: the volitional form of “sodateru”
  • Example #3: how to say “let’s grow” in Japanese
• Sodatemasu: the masu form of “sodateru”
  • Example #4: how to say “grow” politely in Japanese
• Sodateta: the ta form of “sodateru”
  • Example #5: how to say “brought up” in Japanese
• Sodatete: the te form of “sodateru”
  • Example #6: how to say “grow and” in Japanese
• Sodatereba: the ba form of “sodateru”
  • Example #7: how to say “if grow” in Japanese
• Summary

Definition and meanings of “sodateru”

Let me start with the definition and meanings of “sodateru”.

• sodateru – 育てる (そだてる) : a verb meaning ‘to bring up’, ‘to raise’, ‘to grow’, or such in Japanese.

Japanese native speakers use this verb when they help someone grow. In addition, they sometimes use this verb for inanimate things. For example, they use this verb when they grow companies. It’s worth knowing.

The definition and meanings are not that difficult, I think. Then, let me explain how to use this verb through the example sentence below.

Example #1: how to say “grow” in Japanese

Below are the new words used in the example sentence.

• kanojo – 彼女 (かのじょ) : a pronoun meaning ‘she’ in Japanese.
• tachi – 達 (たち) : a suffix used after a noun or pronoun to make its plural form. In the example, this is used after “kanojo” to make its plural form, “kanojo tachi”, which means ‘they’ in Japanese. Learn more about Japanese plural.
• wa – は : a binding particle working as a case marker or topic marker. In the example, this works after “kanojo tachi” to make the subject in the sentence.
• maitoshi – 毎年 (まいとし) : an adverb meaning ‘every year’ in Japanese.
• yasai – 野菜 (やさい) : a noun meaning ‘vegetable’ in Japanese. This can also work as plural.
• wo – を : a case particle used to make the object word in a sentence. In the example, this is used after “yasai” to make the object in the sentence.

This is a typical usage of “sodateru”. In the example, it works together with the case particle, “wo”, to have the object. When we want to mean ‘to grow’ in Japanese, this verb is always a good option.

So far, I’ve explained the definition and meanings of “sodateru” and how to use it through the example sentence. In the rest part of this blog post, I will explain its major conjugations. The first one is “sodatenai”.

Sodatenai: the nai form of “sodateru”

Below are the definition and meanings of “sodatenai”.

• sodatenai – 育てない (そだてない) : the nai form of “sodateru”, which means ‘not to bring up’, ‘not to raise’, ‘not to grow’, or such in Japanese.

Grammatically, “sodatenai” consists of the following two parts:

• sodate – 育て (そだて) : one conjugation of “sodateru”. This can have a smooth connection with “nai”.
• nai – ない : an auxiliary verb used after a verb, adjective, or auxiliary verb to deny its meaning. Word orders in Japanese and English are different, but the role of this auxiliary verb is very similar to that of “not”.

From these two parts, we can understand that “sodatenai” is literally the nai form of “sodateru” and means ‘not to bring up’, ‘not to raise’, ‘not to grow’, or such in Japanese. Then, let me explain how to use this nai form through the example sentence below.

Example #2: how to say “don’t grow” in Japanese

Below are the new words used in the example sentence.

• boku – 僕 (ぼく) : a pronoun meaning ‘I’ in Japanese. This is used mainly by boys and young males.
• ie – 家 (いえ) : a noun meaning ‘home’ or ‘house’ in Japanese. This can also work as plural.
• de – で : a case particle used to say where someone does something. In the example, this is used after “ie” to say where the speaker doesn’t grow vegetables.

This is a typical usage of “sodatenai”. When we want to mean ‘not to grow’ in Japanese, this nai form is a good option.

Sodateyou: the volitional form of “sodateru”

Below are the definition and meanings of “sodateyou”.

• sodateyou – 育てよう (そだてよう) : the volitional form of “sodateru”, which expresses volition to bring up, raise, grow, or such in Japanese.

Grammatically, “sodateyou” consists of the following two parts:

• sodate – 育て (そだて) : one conjugation of “sodateru”. This can have a smooth connection with “you”.
• you – よう : an auxiliary verb used after a verb to make its volitional form.

From these two parts, we can understand that “sodateyou” is literally the volitional form of “sodateru” and expresses volition to bring up, raise, grow, or such. Then, let me explain how to use this form through the example sentence below.

Example #3: how to say “let’s grow” in Japanese

Below are the new words used in the example sentence.

• issho – 一緒 (いっしょ) : a noun meaning ‘same’, ‘being together’, or such in Japanese.
• ni – に : a case particle used to say how someone does something. In the example, this is used after “issho” to say “together” in Japanese.
• kaisha – 会社 (かいしゃ) : a noun meaning ‘company’ in Japanese. This can also work as plural.

This is a typical usage of “sodateyou”. In this example, it works to make the suggestion. When we want to say “let’s grow” in Japanese, this volitional form is a good option.

Sodatemasu: the masu form of “sodateru”

Below are the definition and meanings of “sodatemasu”.

• sodatemasu – 育てます (そだてます) : the masu form of “sodateru”, which means ‘to bring up’, ‘to raise’, ‘to grow’, or such politely in Japanese.

Grammatically, “sodatemasu” consists of the following two parts:

• sodate – 育て (そだて) : one conjugation of “sodateru”. This can have a smooth connection with “masu”.
• masu – ます : an auxiliary verb used after a verb to make it polite. Probably, this is well known as a part of Japanese masu form.

From these two parts, we can understand that “sodatemasu” is literally the masu form of “sodateru” and means ‘to bring up’, ‘to raise’, ‘to grow’, or such politely in Japanese. Then, let me explain how to use this form through the example sentence below.

Example #4: how to say “grow” politely in Japanese

Below are the new words used in the example sentence.

• watashi – 私 (わたし) : a pronoun meaning ‘I’ in Japanese.
• kurage – 海月 (くらげ) : a noun meaning ‘jellyfish’ in Japanese.

This is a typical usage of “sodatemasu”. Its politeness has not been reflected in the English sentence, but the Japanese sentence sounds polite thanks to the masu form. When we want to say “grow” politely in Japanese, this form is a very good option.

Sodateta: the ta form of “sodateru”

Below are the definition and meanings of “sodateta”.

• sodateta – 育てた (そだてた) : the ta form of “sodateru”, which means ‘brought up’, ‘raised’, ‘grew’, or such in Japanese.

Grammatically, “sodateta” consists of the following two parts:

• sodate – 育て (そだて) : one conjugation of “sodateru”. This can have a smooth connection with “ta”.
• ta – た : an auxiliary verb used after a verb, adjective, or auxiliary verb to make its past tense form. Probably, this is well known as a part of Japanese ta form.

From these two parts, we can understand that “sodateta” is literally the ta form of “sodateru” and means ‘brought up’, ‘raised’, ‘grew’, or such in Japanese. Let me explain how to use this form through the example sentence below.

Example #5: how to say “brought up” in Japanese

Below are the new words used in the example sentence.

• kodomo – 子供 (こども) : a noun meaning ‘kid’ or ‘child’ in Japanese. This can also work as plural.
• futari – 二人 (ふたり) : a noun meaning ‘two people’ in Japanese. In the example, this works together with “kodomo” to say “two kids” in Japanese.

This is a typical usage of “sodateta”. When we want to use the past tense form of “sodateru”, this ta form is the best option.

Sodatete: the te form of “sodateru”

Below are the definition and meanings of “sodatete”.

• sodatete – 育てて (そだてて) : the te form of “sodateru”, which means ‘to bring up’, ‘to raise’, ‘to grow’, or such in Japanese.

Grammatically, “sodatete” consists of the following two parts:

• sodate – 育て (そだて) : one conjugation of “sodateru”. This can have a smooth connection with “te”.
• te – て : a conjunctive particle used after a verb, adjective, or auxiliary verb to make its te form.

From these two parts, we can understand that “sodatete” is literally the te form of “sodateru”. In Japanese, te-formed words have some important roles. One of them is make smooth connections of words. So, “sodatete” is very useful when we want to use “sodateru” in front of another verb, an adjective, or an auxiliary verb. Let me explain this usage through the example sentence below.

Example #6: how to say “grow and” in Japanese

Below is the new word used in the example sentence.

• taberu – 食べる (たべる) : a verb meaning ‘to eat’ in Japanese.

This is a typical usage of “sodatete”. In the example, it has the smooth connection with “taberu”. When we want to use “sodateru” in front of another verb like this, its te form is very useful to make a smooth connection.

Sodatereba: the ba form of “sodateru”

Lastly, let me explain the definition and meanings of “sodatereba”.

• sodatereba – 育てれば (そだてれば) : the ba form of “sodateru”, which makes a conditional clause in a sentence with meaning ‘to bring up’, ‘to raise’, ‘to grow’, or such in Japanese.

Grammatically, “sodatereba” consists of the following two parts:

• sodatere – 育てれ (そだてれ) : one conjugation of “sodateru”. This can have a smooth connection with “ba”.
• ba – ば : a conjunctive particle used after a verb, adjective, or auxiliary verb to make its ba form.

From these two parts, we can understand that “sodatereba” is literally the ba form of “sodateru”. In Japanese, the ba forms of words can work as their conditional forms. So, we can use “sodatereba” to make a conditional clause in a sentence with adding the meaning of ‘to bring up’, ‘to raise’, ‘to grow’, or such in Japanese. Let me explain this usage through the example sentence below.

Example #7: how to say “if grow” in Japanese

Below are the new words used in the example sentence.

• tot – 採っ (とっ) : one conjugation of the verb, “toru”, which means ‘to pick’, ‘to get’, or such in Japanese. In the example, it has been conjugated for the better connection with its following word.
• te – て : the same as used in “sodatete”. In this example, this is used after “tot” to make its te form.
• sugu – すぐ : an adverb meaning ‘soon’, ‘right away’, or such in Japanese.
• tabe – 食べ (たべ) : one conjugation of the verb, “taberu”, which means ‘to eat’ in Japanese. In the example, it has been conjugated for the better connection with its following word.
• rareru – られる : an auxiliary verb used after a verb to make its potential form. In the example, this is used after “tabe” to make its potential form, “tabe rareru”, which means ‘can eat’ in Japanese.

This is a typical usage of “sodatereba”. In this example, it works as a part of the conditional clause, “ie de yasai wo sodatereba”, which means ‘if you grow vegetables at home’ in Japanese. When we want to make a conditional clause in a sentence with adding the meaning of ‘to grow’ in Japanese, this ba form is a good option.

Summary

In this blog post, I’ve explained the definition and meanings of “sodateru” together with its major conjugations. And also, I’ve explained how to use them through the example sentences. Let me summarize them as follows.

• sodateru – 育てる (そだてる) : a verb meaning ‘to bring up’, ‘to raise’, ‘to grow’, or such in Japanese.
• sodatenai – 育てない (そだてない) : the nai form of “sodateru”, which means ‘not to bring up’, ‘not to raise’, ‘not to grow’, or such in Japanese.
• sodateyou – 育てよう (そだてよう) : the volitional form of “sodateru”, which expresses volition to bring up, raise, grow, or such in Japanese.
• sodatemasu – 育てます (そだてます) : the masu form of “sodateru”, which means ‘to bring up’, ‘to raise’, ‘to grow’, or such politely in Japanese.
• sodateta – 育てた (そだてた) : the ta form of “sodateru”, which means ‘brought up’, ‘raised’, ‘grew’, or such in Japanese.
• sodatete – 育てて (そだてて) : the te form of “sodateru”, which means ‘to bring up’, ‘to raise’, ‘to grow’, or such in Japanese. When we want to use “sodateru” in front of another verb, this te form is very useful to make a smooth connection.
• sodatereba – 育てれば (そだてれば) : the ba form of “sodateru”, which makes a conditional clause in a sentence with meaning ‘to bring up’, ‘to raise’, ‘to grow’, or such in Japanese.

Hope my explanations are understandable and helpful for Japanese learners.