生养

生養
shēngyǎng
verb #31,645

Meanings

  1. 1 to give birth to and raise (children)
  2. 2 to bear and bring up
  3. 3 to rear

Examples

Fùmǔ shēngyǎng wǒmen bù róngyì.
It wasn't easy for our parents to give birth to us and raise us.
Tā shēngyǎng le sān gè háizi.
She gave birth to and raised three children.

Tips

usage
生养 fuses two acts: (to give birth) + (to raise / nurture). Compare alone ('to give birth'), alone ('to raise'), and 抚养 (fǔyǎng, 'to bring up' — emphasis on the rearing, can apply to step- or adopted children). 生养 specifically implies one's own biological children.
culture
Common in expressions of filial piety (): the line 生养 ('the kindness of giving birth and raising') is invoked when speaking of what children owe their parents.

Stroke Order

shēng
yǎng