How to say "foster" in Japanese

• 培うつちかうCommon
  godan verb, transitive verbCovers 'foster' as deliberate cultivation: building up trust, ability, or experience gradually through one's own effort, the way a farmer enriches soil; the emphasis is on steady, long-term work.
  友情ゆうじょうを培つちかうのにスポーツは効果的こうかてきだ。↗

  Sports are effective to cultivate friendship.
• 育むはぐくむCommon
  godan verb, transitive verbCovers 'foster' and 'nurture': helping something grow by caring for it patiently, as a parent nurtures a child or a community nurtures talent; warmth and protection rather than effortful building.
  スポーツは友情ゆうじょうをはぐくむものだ。↗

  Sports nurture friendships.

Both translate 'foster' in the sense of helping something develop: pick 「培う」 for building something up through one's own sustained effort, and 「育む」 for nurturing growth with patient, protective care.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 培うつちかうto cultivate
• 養い育てるやしないそだてるto bring up
• 育てるそだてるto promote the growth of
• 育むはぐくむto cultivate
• 養うやしなうto cultivate (a habit, a quality, etc.)