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B1 noun #7,500 le plus courant 9 min de lecture

養分

Top 7,500

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces 養分 en 30 secondes

Explication 養分 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use '養分' (yōbun) often. You might see it in very simple books about plants or nature. Think of it as 'plant food.' At this stage, just remember that plants need 'yōbun' to grow. You usually learn 'tabemono' (food) first. 'Yōbun' is like 'tabemono' but for flowers and trees. You might see a sentence like 'Hana ni yōbun o agemasu' (I give nutrients to the flower). It's a good word to recognize when you go to a park or a flower shop in Japan. Don't worry about the kanji yet; just focus on the sound 'yōbun' and the idea of things growing.

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At the A2 level, you start to learn more about daily life and the environment. You might learn the kanji for 'yōbun' (養分). The first part '養' is also in 'foster' or 'nurture.' You might hear this word in a science class or on a TV show about farming. You should know that 'yōbun' is different from 'eiyō' (nutrition). 'Eiyō' is for people, and 'yōbun' is for plants. For example, 'Tsuchi no yōbun' means 'nutrients in the soil.' You can use it to describe why a plant is healthy or why a forest is beautiful. It's a useful word if you enjoy gardening or talking about nature.

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At the B1 level, you should be able to use '養分' (yōbun) in both literal and figurative ways. Literally, you can explain the process of a plant absorbing nutrients: 'Shokubutsu wa ne kara yōbun o kyūshū suru.' Figuratively, you can use it to talk about personal growth. For example, 'Kono keiken wa watashi no yōbun ni naru' (This experience will become my nourishment/growth). This shows you understand that 'nourishment' isn't just for the body, but also for the mind and future success. You should also start noticing the word in more formal contexts, like news reports about agriculture or environment conservation.

At the B2 level, you should understand the nuance between 'yōbun' and similar words like 'eiyōso' or 'kate.' You will encounter 'yōbun' in documentaries, academic texts, and literature. You should be comfortable discussing environmental issues, such as how soil depletion (yōbun no ketsubō) affects crops. You should also be aware of the slang usage in gambling or internet culture, where 'yōbun' refers to someone being exploited or losing resources to others. At this level, your use of the word should be precise—choosing 'yōbun' when discussing biological systems or metaphorical enrichment, and 'eiyō' when discussing public health.

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At the C1 level, you are expected to use '養分' (yōbun) with the sophistication of a native speaker. This includes using it in complex metaphors about culture, art, and philosophy. For instance, you might discuss how a particular historical period provided the 'yōbun' for a literary movement. You should also understand its role in technical discussions about ecology, such as the 'yōbun en' (nutrient salts) in oceanography. Your ability to distinguish between 'yōbun' and 'jiyō' (nourishing properties for recovery) or 'kate' (spiritual sustenance) should be near-perfect, allowing you to express subtle differences in meaning in formal writing or debates.

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At the C2 level, '養分' (yōbun) is a tool for precise and evocative expression. You can analyze its usage in classical or modern literature, understanding how authors use the concept of 'nourishment' to describe the human condition. You might use it in a scientific dissertation or a high-level policy document regarding sustainable agriculture. You are also fully aware of the word's social connotations, including its derogatory use in subcultures, and can use this knowledge to interpret social dynamics in Japan. Your mastery allows you to use 'yōbun' in a way that feels natural, whether you are discussing the literal minerals in a volcanic field or the abstract influences on a nation's psyche.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

養分 en 30 secondes

養分 (yōbun) means nutrients or nourishment, primarily used for plants and soil science.
It is different from 栄養 (eiyō), which is the standard word for human nutrition and health.
Metaphorically, it refers to experiences or knowledge that help a person grow (e.g., 'nourishment for the soul').
In slang, it can refer to a 'sucker' or someone who is exploited by others in gambling or gaming.

The Japanese word 養分 (ようぶん - yōbun) specifically refers to the substances necessary for the growth and survival of living organisms, most commonly plants and microorganisms. While the English word 'nourishment' or 'nutrients' covers a wide range of biological and metaphorical ground, yōbun has a strong scientific and botanical connotation. It is the essential 'fuel' that a plant extracts from the soil or that an organism absorbs to build its structure and maintain its vital functions. Understanding this word requires looking at its two constituent kanji: 養 (yashina-u), which means to nurture, rear, or support, and 分 (bun), which means part, portion, or segment. Together, they describe the 'nurturing portions' that life depends on.

Biological Context: In textbooks and science documentaries, this word is the standard term for the chemical components like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium that plants need. It is rarely used to describe a delicious steak or a vitamin pill for humans in casual conversation; for that, Japanese people use 栄養 (eiyō).

植物は根から土の中の養分を吸収します。
(Plants absorb nutrients from the soil through their roots.)

Beyond the literal dirt and roots, yōbun is frequently used in a metaphorical sense in literature and self-improvement contexts. It represents the 'intellectual or spiritual fuel' one gains from experiences, books, or art. For instance, a writer might say that reading diverse genres provides the yōbun for their own creativity. This usage elevates the word from a simple biology term to a poetic expression of growth through consumption of quality content. It suggests that just as a tree cannot grow without the minerals in the earth, the human spirit cannot flourish without external inspiration.

Metaphorical Growth: Used to describe how experiences, failures, and knowledge become the foundation for future success. In this sense, it is synonymous with 'sustenance' for the mind.

失敗の経験も、将来の成功への養分となる。
(Even the experience of failure becomes nourishment for future success.)

In modern internet slang, yōbun has taken on a somewhat cynical meaning. In the world of gambling (like Pachinko) or online gaming, a 'yōbun' is a player who consistently loses money or points to the more skilled players or the 'house.' They are essentially 'feeding' the ecosystem with their losses, providing the 'nutrients' that allow the winners to thrive. While this is a niche usage, it illustrates the word's core concept: something that is consumed to facilitate the growth or benefit of another entity. Whether it's a plant growing toward the sun or a professional gambler 'feeding' off a novice, the flow of yōbun is what keeps the system moving.

Slang Usage: Refers to a weak player or a 'sucker' whose resources are taken by others. Use this with caution as it is derogatory.

彼はパチンコ店にとって格好の養分だ。
(He is the perfect source of 'nourishment' (easy money) for the Pachinko parlor.)

Using 養分 correctly depends heavily on whether you are speaking scientifically or figuratively. In scientific Japanese, it is almost always the object of verbs like 吸収する (kyūshū suru - to absorb) or 蓄える (takaeru - to store). Because it is a noun, it functions as the subject or object of a sentence quite simply. For example, when describing a forest, you might say that the falling leaves return to the earth to become yōbun for the trees. This cycle of life is a classic context for the word.

Common Verb Pairings: 養分を吸収する (Absorb nutrients), 養分を与える (Provide nutrients), 養分が足りない (Lack nutrients), 養分を蓄える (Store nutrients).

冬の間、木々は根に養分を蓄えて春を待つ。
(During winter, trees store nutrients in their roots and wait for spring.)

In a figurative sense, yōbun is often used with the particle に (ni) to indicate what something 'becomes' nourishment *for*. For example, 'A becomes B's nourishment' would be AがBの養分になる. This is a powerful way to describe how one's struggles or studies contribute to their long-term growth. It is particularly common in graduation speeches, motivational books, and artistic manifestos. It implies that the 'input' (the nourishment) is transformed into something greater (the 'output' or growth).

Figurative Structure: [Source] + は + [Growth Target] + の養分になる。
Example: 読書は心の養分になる (Reading becomes nourishment for the heart/mind).

良質な映画を観ることは、クリエイターにとって大切な養分だ。
(Watching high-quality films is important nourishment for a creator.)

When discussing soil or fertilizer, you will often see the word yōbun paired with adjectives like 豊富な (hōfu-na - abundant) or 乏しい (toboshi-i - scarce). A farmer might complain that the soil is 'yōbun ga toboshii,' meaning it's depleted and needs fertilizer. Conversely, a 'yōbun ga hōfu-na dojo' (nutrient-rich soil) is every gardener's dream. Note that while 'nutrition' for humans (eiyō) is often discussed in terms of 'balance' (baransu), yōbun is more often discussed in terms of 'amount' or 'source.'

Adjective Pairings: 豊富な養分 (Abundant nutrients), 必要な養分 (Necessary nutrients), 余分な養分 (Excess nutrients).

この土地は養分が豊富で、野菜がよく育つ。
(This land is rich in nutrients, so vegetables grow well.)

You are most likely to encounter 養分 in educational settings or specialized media. If you watch NHK's nature documentaries (like 'Darwin's Amazing Animals'), the narrator will frequently use this word to explain how ecosystems function. For example, they might describe how a whale carcass on the ocean floor provides yōbun for deep-sea creatures for decades. In this context, it feels clinical and factual, emphasizing the biological necessity of the substance.

Media Context: Nature Docs: Used to describe the flow of energy and matter in the wild. Phrases like 'mori no yōbun' (forest nutrients) are common.

枯れ葉が分解され、森の養分へと変わっていく。
(Dead leaves are decomposed and turn into nutrients for the forest.)

Another common place is at the home center (hardware/gardening store). If you walk into the gardening section of a 'Cainz' or 'DCM' in Japan, you will see bags of soil and bottles of liquid fertilizer labeled with phrases about yōbun. Labels might say 'Yōbun tappuri' (Full of nutrients) or 'Shokubutsu ni hitsuyo na yōbun o haigo' (Contains nutrients necessary for plants). This is a very practical, everyday encounter with the word for anyone who keeps houseplants or a small balcony garden in Tokyo.

Practical Context: Gardening: Found on product packaging for fertilizer (hiryō) and potting soil (baiyōdo). It promises growth and health for plants.

この肥料は、花を咲かせるための養分をバランスよく含んでいます。
(This fertilizer contains a well-balanced set of nutrients for making flowers bloom.)

In the literary world, authors like Haruki Murakami or Natsume Soseki (in his older style) might use yōbun to describe the enrichment of the soul. In an interview, an artist might say, 'The time I spent traveling in my 20s became the yōbun for my current work.' This sounds sophisticated and thoughtful. It suggests that the artist is like a plant, and their experiences are the rich soil from which their art grows. This usage is common in essays (zuihitsu) and high-level journalism.

Intellectual Context: Creative Interviews: Used by creators to explain their inspirations. It implies a slow, deep process of internalizing experiences.

旅先での出会いが、私の小説の養分となっている。
(Encounters during my travels serve as nourishment for my novels.)

The most frequent mistake English speakers make with 養分 is using it as a direct synonym for 'nutrition' in human contexts. In English, 'nutrients' can refer to the vitamins in your cereal or the minerals in the soil. In Japanese, there is a sharp divide. 栄養 (eiyō) is the word for human nutrition, health, and diet. 養分 (yōbun) is for plants, bacteria, and abstract growth. If you tell a Japanese friend, 'I'm eating vegetables for yōbun,' it sounds as if you are a plant absorbing minerals from the dirt.

Mistake #1: Human Diet: Incorrect: 体のために養分を摂る (Taking nutrients for the body).
Correct: 体のために栄養を摂る (Taking nutrition for the body).

❌ このサプリメントには養分がたくさん入っている。
✅ このサプリメントには栄養がたくさん入っている。

Another mistake involves the 'Slang' usage mentioned earlier. Because 'yōbun' can mean a 'sucker' or a 'loser' in gambling/gaming contexts, using it metaphorically in a professional setting requires care. While saying 'Knowledge is nourishment for the mind' is beautiful, calling a client 'nourishment for our company' could be disastrously misinterpreted as calling them a 'sucker' whose money you are taking. Always ensure the 'target' of the nourishment is something positive, like 'growth' or 'creativity,' rather than a predatory relationship.

Mistake #2: Unintended Slang: Avoid using 'yōbun' when referring to people in a business context unless you are speaking very abstractly about 'learning from others.'

⚠️ 彼は会社の養分だ。
(Could mean 'He is the lifeblood of the company' OR 'He is a sucker the company exploits.')

Lastly, learners often confuse yōbun with 肥料 (hiryō). Hiryō is the 'fertilizer' (the product you buy in a bag), while yōbun is the 'nutrient' (the actual chemical substance inside the fertilizer). You *apply* fertilizer (肥料をやる) to *provide* nutrients (養分を与える). You cannot 'absorb fertilizer' (肥料を吸収する) in a biological sense; you absorb the nutrients *from* the fertilizer. Keeping this distinction clear will make your Japanese sound much more natural and precise.

Mistake #3: Nutrient vs. Fertilizer: 養分 (Nutrient) = The 'What'.
肥料 (Fertilizer) = The 'How/Source'.

To truly master 養分, you must see how it sits alongside its synonyms. The most obvious neighbor is 栄養 (eiyō), but there are others like 糧 (kate) and 滋養 (jiyō). Each has a specific 'flavor' and context. Using the wrong one won't always stop you from being understood, but it will mark you as a learner. Let's break down the nuances.

養分 vs. 栄養 (eiyō): 養分: Science/Plants/Soil. Focuses on the substance itself.
栄養: Health/Diet/Humans. Focuses on the process of maintaining health.
養分 vs. 糧 (kate): 糧: Literary/Spiritual. Literally means 'provisions' or 'daily bread.' Used almost exclusively for 'food for the soul' (心の糧) or 'daily sustenance.'
養分 vs. 滋養 (jiyō): 滋養: Old-fashioned/Medical. Refers to 'nourishing' properties of food that help recovery. You'll see this on 'Jiyō Kyōtsū' (nutritional tonic) drinks.

この本は、私の人生の糧となった。
(This book became the 'daily bread' (sustenance) of my life.)

In a technical sense, you might also encounter 栄養素 (eiyōso). This specifically means 'nutritional elements' or 'nutrients' in a chemical list. While yōbun is a general term for the 'stuff' plants need, eiyōso is what you'll find on the back of a food label or in a biology textbook when discussing the specific molecules like carbohydrates or proteins. If you are writing a scientific paper, eiyōso is more precise.

五大栄養素をバランスよく摂取しましょう。
(Let's ingest the five major nutrients in a well-balanced way.)

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The kanji '養' originally depicted a sheep (羊) being fed, symbolizing the act of providing care and food.

Guide de prononciation

UK /jəʊ.bʊn/

US /joʊ.bʊn/

Heiban (Flat) pitch accent. The pitch stays relatively level throughout the word.

Rime avec

Kibun (Feeling) Tabun (Maybe) Zunbun (Fully) Kōbun (Sentence structure) Shobun (Disposal) Kibun (Mood) Zubun (Soaking) Nibun (Halving)

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing 'yō' as a short 'yo'.
Over-emphasizing the 'u' in 'bun'.
Confusing the pitch with 'yobun' (excess), which has a different accent.
Making the 'n' sound too much like an English 'n'.
Pausing between 'yō' and 'bun' too long.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 3/5

Kanji is intermediate level but commonly seen in science contexts.

Écriture 4/5

Writing '養' can be tricky for beginners due to stroke count.

Expression orale 2/5

Pronunciation is simple and flat.

Écoute 3/5

Must distinguish from 'yobun' (excess).

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

植物 (Plant) 土 (Soil) 育つ (To grow) 栄養 (Nutrition) 吸収 (Absorption)

Apprends ensuite

光合成 (Photosynthesis) 肥料 (Fertilizer) 土壌 (Soil/Ground) 糧 (Sustenance) 循環 (Cycle)

Avancé

窒素 (Nitrogen) リン酸 (Phosphoric acid) カリウム (Potassium) 有機物 (Organic matter) 生態系 (Ecosystem)

Grammaire à connaître

Noun + になる (To become)

養分になる。

Noun + を + Verb (Object marker)

養分を吸収する。

Noun + が + Adjective (Subject marker for state)

養分が豊富だ。

Noun + として (As...)

養分として利用する。

Noun + のための + Noun (For the purpose of...)

成長のための養分。

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Exemples par niveau

はなにようぶんをあげます。

I give nutrients to the flowers.

Simple object + particle 'o' + verb.

つちにようぶんがあります。

There are nutrients in the soil.

Location + particle 'ni' + subject + 'ga' + existence verb.

これははなのようぶんです。

This is plant food (nutrients).

A is B structure.

きはようぶんをたべます。

Trees 'eat' (absorb) nutrients.

Using 'tabemasu' as a simple substitute for 'absorb' at A1 level.

ようぶんでおおきくなります。

It grows big with nutrients.

Particle 'de' indicating means or reason.

ようぶんをください。

Please give (me/the plant) nutrients.

Polite request form.

このようぶんはいいです。

These nutrients are good.

Adjective describing a noun.

ようぶんがひつようです。

Nutrients are necessary.

Noun + 'ga' + 'hitsuyo' (necessary).

植物は土から養分をとります。

Plants take nutrients from the soil.

Using 'toru' (to take/get).

この肥料には養分がたくさんあります。

This fertilizer has a lot of nutrients.

Adverb 'takusan' modifying the existence verb.

養分が足りないと、葉が黄色くなります。

If nutrients are insufficient, the leaves turn yellow.

Condition 'to' meaning 'if/when'.

水と養分を毎日あげてください。

Please give it water and nutrients every day.

Connecting nouns with 'to' (and).

森には豊かな養分があります。

There are rich nutrients in the forest.

Adjective 'yutaka-na' (rich/abundant).

野菜を育てるために養分が必要です。

Nutrients are necessary to grow vegetables.

'~tame ni' (in order to).

この土は養分が少ないです。

This soil is low in nutrients.

Adjective 'sukunai' (few/little).

新しい養分を入れましょう。

Let's put in new nutrients.

Volitional form '~mashō' (let's).

根は水と一緒に養分を吸収します。

Roots absorb nutrients along with water.

Using the specific verb 'kyūshū suru' (to absorb).

読書は心の養分になります。

Reading becomes nourishment for the mind.

Metaphorical use of 'ni naru'.

この経験は、将来の私の養分となるでしょう。

This experience will likely become my nourishment in the future.

Formal 'to naru' and 'deshō' (probability).

農家は土の養分を調整するのが仕事です。

A farmer's job is to adjust the nutrients in the soil.

Nominalizing a verb phrase with 'no'.

養分が豊富な土地では、作物がよく育ちます。

In land rich in nutrients, crops grow well.

Noun-modifying clause 'yōbun ga hōfu-na'.

失敗を養分にして、もっと強くなりたい。

I want to turn failure into nourishment and become stronger.

Using 'ni shite' (turning something into...).

植物が必要とする養分は、種類によって違います。

The nutrients plants need differ depending on the species.

'~ni yotte' (depending on).

この液体肥料は、養分を素早く届けます。

This liquid fertilizer delivers nutrients quickly.

Adverb 'subayaku' (quickly).

この森の生態系は、死んだ動物の養分によって支えられている。

This forest's ecosystem is supported by the nutrients from dead animals.

Passive voice 'sasaerarete iru' (is being supported).

芸術は、社会の養分として欠かせない存在だ。

Art is an essential existence as the nourishment of society.

Using 'toshite' (as).

過剰な養分は、かえって植物の成長を妨げることがある。

Excessive nutrients can actually hinder plant growth.

'Koto ga aru' (there are times when...).

彼は他人のアイデアを自分の養分にするのがうまい。

He is good at turning others' ideas into his own nourishment.

Describing a skill with 'no ga umai'.

土壌の養分バランスが崩れると、病気が発生しやすくなる。

When the soil's nutrient balance is disrupted, diseases occur more easily.

Compound verb 'yasuku naru' (becomes easy to...).

深海では、上から降ってくる養分が生物の命を繋いでいる。

In the deep sea, nutrients falling from above sustain the lives of organisms.

Relative clause 'ue kara futte kuru'.

このプロジェクトでの苦労も、いつか大きな養分になるはずだ。

The hardships in this project should eventually become great nourishment.

'Hazu da' (should be/expected to be).

微生物が有機物を分解し、植物が利用できる養分に変える。

Microorganisms decompose organic matter and turn it into nutrients plants can use.

Connecting sentences with the 'te' form.

古典文学は、現代の作家たちにとって汲み尽くせない養分の源泉である。

Classical literature is an inexhaustible source of nourishment for modern writers.

Sophisticated vocabulary like 'kumitsukusenai' (inexhaustible).

海流が運んでくる養分塩が、この海域の豊かな漁場を形成している。

Nutrient salts carried by ocean currents form the rich fishing grounds of this area.

Technical term 'yōbun-en' (nutrient salts).

都市の多様性は、新しい文化が生まれるための肥沃な養分となる。

The diversity of a city serves as fertile nourishment for the birth of new culture.

Metaphorical use of 'hiyoku-na' (fertile).

過度な競争は、社会の健全な養分を吸い取ってしまう恐れがある。

Excessive competition risks sucking away the healthy nourishment of society.

'Osore ga aru' (there is a fear/risk that...).

歴史の教訓を養分として吸収し、我々は過ちを繰り返さないようにすべきだ。

We should absorb the lessons of history as nourishment and strive not to repeat mistakes.

'~yō ni subeki' (should act so that...).

寄生植物は、宿主となる木から直接養分を奪って生きている。

Parasitic plants live by directly stealing nutrients from their host trees.

Technical biology term 'yadonushi' (host).

彼の沈黙の時間さえも、次の名曲を生み出すための大切な養分だったのだ。

Even his periods of silence were important nourishment for creating his next masterpiece.

Emphatic 'no da' ending.

土壌学において、養分の循環メカニズムを解明することは極めて重要である。

In soil science, elucidating the nutrient cycling mechanism is extremely important.

Academic register 'kiwamete' (extremely).

知の養分を貪欲に求める姿勢が、彼を稀代の天才へと押し上げた。

His posture of greedily seeking intellectual nourishment propelled him to become a rare genius.

Literary adverb 'donyoku ni' (greedily).

伝統という名の養分が枯渇したとき、その文化は形骸化の一途を辿るだろう。

When the nourishment called tradition dries up, that culture will likely head toward becoming a mere shell.

Idiomatic 'itto o tadoru' (to continue on a path toward...).

その詩人の言葉は、荒廃した人々の心に静かに養分を染み渡らせた。

The poet's words quietly allowed nourishment to permeate the devastated hearts of the people.

Causative verb 'shimiwataraseta' (made permeate).

資本主義のシステムは、往々にして社会的弱者をシステムの養分として消費する。

The capitalist system often consumes the socially vulnerable as nourishment for the system.

Critical/Sociological tone using 'ōō ni shite' (often/frequently).

万物は流転し、朽ち果てた命は次なる生命の養分へと昇華される。

All things are in flux, and decayed life is sublimated into nourishment for the next life.

Philosophical phrasing 'banbutsu wa ruten shi'.

異文化との摩擦さえも、自己を形成する不可欠な養分へと変換し得る強靭さ。

The resilience to be able to convert even friction with different cultures into indispensable nourishment for self-formation.

Suffix '~uru' (possible to...).

芸術作品における模倣は、時に新たな創造のための養分として正当化される。

Imitation in artistic works is sometimes justified as nourishment for new creation.

Formal passive 'seitōka sareru'.

宇宙の起源を探る研究は、人類の好奇心を充たす究極の知的養分である。

Research exploring the origin of the universe is the ultimate intellectual nourishment that satisfies human curiosity.

Complex noun phrase modification.

Collocations courantes

養分を吸収する

養分を与える

養分が豊富だ

心の養分

養分を蓄える

養分が足りない

養分を奪う

成長の養分

養分分かれる

余分な養分

Phrases Courantes

養分になる

— To become nourishment. Used for both plants and personal growth.

苦労が養分になる。

土の養分

— Soil nutrients. A standard term in gardening and agriculture.

土の養分を確認する。

養分を吸い取る

— To suck out nutrients. Often used for parasites or weeds.

寄生虫が養分を吸い取る。

創作の養分

— Nourishment for creation. Used by artists to describe inspiration.

名画が創作の養分だ。

養分バランス

— Nutrient balance. Refers to the ratio of different minerals.

養分バランスを整える。

養分不足

— Nutrient deficiency. A common problem in farming.

養分不足で育ちが悪い。

知的な養分

— Intellectual nourishment. Knowledge that enriches the mind.

知的な養分を求める。

養分を供給する

— To supply nutrients. A formal way of saying 'to give.'

ダムが養分を供給する。

豊かな養分

— Rich nutrients. Describes fertile land or deep experiences.

豊かな養分を含む海。

人生の養分

— Nourishment for life. High-level metaphorical usage.

旅は人生の養分だ。

Souvent confondu avec

養分 vs 余分 (よぶん)

Means 'extra' or 'excess.' Sounds similar but has a short 'o' and different kanji.

養分 vs 呼分 (よびん - rare)

Not a common word, but beginners might mishear 'yōbun' as 'yobin' (spare).

養分 vs 養分 (slang version)

Must be careful not to use the 'sucker' meaning in polite company.

Expressions idiomatiques

"芸の肥やし"

— Nourishment for one's art. While it uses 'koyashi' (manure), it is the idiomatic equivalent of 'yōbun' in art.

遊びも芸の肥やしだ。

Artistic/Traditional

"血肉となる"

— To become one's flesh and blood. Used when knowledge is fully internalized.

学んだことが血肉となる。

General

"心の糧"

— Food for the soul. The most common poetic way to say 'yōbun' for the mind.

音楽は心の糧だ。

Literary

"骨肉を養う"

— To nourish one's family or body. An older, formal expression.

働いて骨肉を養う。

Formal

"腹の足しにする"

— To serve as a stopgap for hunger. Literal nourishment.

パンを腹の足しにする。

Informal

"爪の垢を煎じて飲む"

— To follow someone's example (literally 'drink the dirt from under their nails'). Metaphorical absorption of skill.

彼の爪の垢を煎じて飲みたい。

Idiomatic

"耳学問"

— Learning by listening. A form of intellectual 'yōbun' gained casually.

耳学問で知識を得る。

Neutral

"温故知新"

— Learning from the past to know the new. Using history as 'yōbun'.

温故知新の精神が大切だ。

Formal

"百聞は一見に如かず"

— Seeing once is better than hearing a hundred times. Direct experience as better 'yōbun'.

実際に見て養分にしよう。

Proverb

"蒔かぬ種は生えぬ"

— A seed not sown will not grow. No output without 'yōbun' and effort.

努力という養分を蒔こう。

Proverb

Facile à confondre

養分 vs 栄養 (えいよう)

Both mean 'nutrients/nutrition.'

Eiyō is for humans/health; Yōbun is for plants/soil/abstract growth.

人間には栄養、植物には養分。

養分 vs 肥料 (ひりょう)

Both relate to plant growth.

Hiryō is the fertilizer product; Yōbun is the nutrient substance inside it.

肥料をあげて養分を補う。

養分 vs 糧 (かて)

Kate is more literary and often refers to spiritual survival; Yōbun is more scientific or about growth.

心の糧としての読書。

養分 vs 滋養 (じよう)

Jiyō implies strengthening the body or recovery; Yōbun is about the components of growth.

滋養たっぷりの食事。

養分 vs 餌 (えさ)

Esa is for animals with mouths; Yōbun is for plants or organisms that absorb chemicals.

犬に餌を、花に養分を。

Structures de phrases

[Plant] は [Source] から養分を [Verb].

花は土から養分をとります。

[Experience] は [Person] の養分になる。

この旅は私の養分になる。

養分が [Adjective] ので、 [Result].

養分が豊富なので、木が大きく育った。

[Action] ことは、 [Abstract Target] の養分だ。

映画を観ることは、感性の養分だ。

[Source] を養分として [Verb].

過去の失敗を養分として、新しい事業を始めた。

養分の [Noun] が [Verb].

養分の循環メカニズムが解明された。

[Abstract Concept] という名の養分。

孤独という名の養分が彼を成長させた。

養分を [Verb-Causative].

言葉が心に養分を染み渡らせる。

Famille de mots

Noms

養育 (Raising/Nurturing)

養成 (Training/Cultivation)

養子 (Adopted child)

養鶏 (Chicken farming)

養殖 (Aquaculture)

Verbes

養う (Yashinau - To support/nurture)

養われる (To be nurtured)

Adjectifs

養分豊かな (Nutrient-rich)

教養のある (Cultured/Educated)

Apparenté

栄養 (Nutrition)

肥料 (Fertilizer)

土壌 (Soil)

吸収 (Absorption)

光合成 (Photosynthesis)

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Common in specialized fields (biology, farming) and high-level literature/essays.

Erreurs courantes

Using 'yōbun' for human health. → Use 'eiyō' (栄養).
Japanese strictly separates human nutrition from plant/abstract nutrients.
Confusing 'yōbun' with 'yobun'. → Pay attention to the long 'ō'.
Yobun (余分) means extra/excess, while Yōbun (養分) means nutrients.
Using 'yōbun' to mean 'fertilizer'. → Use 'hiryō' (肥料).
Yōbun is the substance; Hiryō is the product you put on the ground.
Calling a business client 'yōbun'. → Use 'onkyaku' or 'shien-sha'.
Calling a person 'yōbun' can imply they are a 'sucker' being exploited.
Using 'yōbun' for animal feed. → Use 'esa' (餌).
'Yōbun' is absorbed; 'esa' is eaten. Use 'yōbun' for the nutrients *inside* the feed.

Astuces

Think Like a Gardener

When you think of 'yōbun,' imagine a garden. It’s all about what’s in the soil and how the plants get strong. This will help you keep it separate from 'eiyō' (human nutrition).

Enrich Your Soul

Use 'yōbun' when talking about your hobbies. Saying 'Music is my yōbun' sounds very deep and passionate in Japanese.

Particle Choice

Remember to use 'o' (を) when you are doing something to the nutrients (like absorbing them) and 'ga' (が) when the nutrients are just there (like in the soil).

Don't Confuse with Yobun

Be careful! 'Yobun' (余分) means extra. If you say you have 'yobun' in your soil, people might think you have 'too much' of something, not 'nutrients.'

Watch Out for Gamblers

If you hear 'yōbun' in a casino or a game center, it’s not about plants. It’s a mean way of calling someone a loser.

Kanji Practice

The top of 養 is 羊 (sheep). Imagine a sheep being fed to remember how to write 'nurture.'

Nature Shows

Watch Japanese nature documentaries on YouTube. They use the word 'yōbun' constantly to explain how forests work.

Abundance

Use the adjective 'hōfu-na' (abundant) with 'yōbun' to sound very natural. 'Yōbun ga hōfu-na dojo' is a perfect phrase.

School Science

This is a 'Rika' (science) word. If you talk about 'yōbun,' Japanese people will remember their elementary school science experiments with beans.

Yo-Yo Bun

Imagine a bunny eating a bun while playing with a yo-yo. The bun gives him the yōbun to play!

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of 'YO-yo BUNny'. A bunny playing with a yo-yo needs 'YŌBUN' (nutrients) to keep up its energy!

Association visuelle

Imagine a plant with long roots reaching down into the soil to grab glowing gold particles labeled 'YŌBUN'.

Word Web

Soil Plants Growth Minerals Roots Fertilizer Knowledge Inspiration

Défi

Try to use 'yōbun' in a sentence about your favorite hobby. For example: 'Listening to music is the yōbun for my soul.'

Origine du mot

Composed of two Kanji: '養' (nurture) and '分' (part/portion). It has been used in Japanese for centuries to describe the components of growth.

Sens originel : The portion of substances that nurture life.

Sino-Japanese (Kango)

Contexte culturel

Be careful with the slang usage in gambling; calling someone 'yōbun' is an insult implying they are a 'cash cow' for others.

English speakers often use 'nutrients' for both plants and people, whereas Japanese separates them into 'yōbun' and 'eiyō'.

NHK documentaries on Japanese agriculture. Literary essays by Soseki Natsume. Scientific textbooks used in Japanese middle schools.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Gardening/Farming

養分たっぷりの土
養分を補給する
養分が切れる
追肥で養分を足す

Science/Biology

養分の吸収効率
無機養分
養分循環の仕組み
水耕栽培の養分

Self-Improvement/Literature

心の養分にする
知的な養分を得る
経験を養分に変える
人生の豊かな養分

Cooking (Metaphorical only)

素材の養分を活かす (Rare/Scientific)
スープの養分 (Rare/Technical)

Gaming/Gambling (Slang)

養分勢
養分乙
完全な養分
養分にされる

Amorces de conversation

"最近、観葉植物の養分が足りないみたいで、葉っぱが元気ないんだよね。"

"あなたにとって、一番の「心の養分」になる本は何ですか？"

"失敗したとき、それをどうやって将来の養分に変えていますか？"

"この公園の土は養分が豊富そうだから、花がきれいに咲いているね。"

"クリエイティブな仕事をするには、外からの養分が必要だと思わない？"

Sujets d'écriture

今日学んだことの中で、自分の将来の養分になりそうなことは何ですか？

あなたが育てている植物（または育てたい植物）に必要な養分について調べて書きなさい。

「読書は心の養分である」という言葉について、あなたの意見を書きなさい。

最近、自分が誰かの「養分」になってしまっていると感じたことはありますか？それはなぜですか？

豊かな人生を送るために、どのような「知的な養分」を取り入れたいですか？

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

Generally, no. For human dieting and health, you should use 'eiyō' (栄養). Using 'yōbun' for humans sounds like you are talking about yourself as a biological specimen or a plant. However, you can use it metaphorically for 'nourishment for the mind' (心の養分).

'Hiryō' (肥料) is the fertilizer you buy at a store. 'Yōbun' (養分) is the actual nutrient (like nitrogen or potassium) that is inside the fertilizer. You apply 'hiryō' to provide 'yōbun' to your plants.

It is a neutral to formal word. It is the standard term in science and agriculture. In metaphorical use, it sounds quite sophisticated and is often found in literature and speeches.

You can say 'yōbun-busoku' (養分不足) or 'yōbun no ketsubō' (養分の欠乏). Both are commonly used in farming and gardening contexts.

In slang, a 'yōbun' is a person who loses money in gambling or points in a game, effectively 'feeding' the winners. It's similar to the English term 'fish' or 'sucker' in poker.

Yes, 'yōbun' is the correct term for the substances that bacteria and microorganisms absorb from their environment to grow.

No, it is a 'Heiban' (flat) accent word, meaning the pitch stays level. This is relatively easy for English speakers to mimic.

The most common verbs are 'kyūshū suru' (absorb), 'ataeru' (give), 'takaeru' (store), and 'naru' (become).

It can be both. It refers to any substance that provides nourishment, whether it's mineral salts (inorganic) or organic matter.

The kanji 養 (yashinau) means to nurture or support. It is used in many words related to raising children (yōiku) or education (kyōyō), emphasizing the nurturing aspect of nutrients.

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