How to say "lay" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 生むうむgodan verb, transitive verbCovers only the biological sense of laying eggs: a hen, a bird, or an insect lays eggs. It is about producing eggs or offspring, not about putting objects in place.
- 積み上げるつみあげるichidan verb, transitive verbCovers laying things one on top of another so as to build up a pile or heap; laying bricks is the typical case, as when a mason lays bricks.
- 据えるすえるichidan verb, transitive verbFor laying something firmly in position, above all laying a foundation. It is the verb of setting an object securely in place, as when laying the foundation of a building.
- 敷き詰めるしきつめるichidan verb, transitive verbFor laying something so that it covers a surface all over — spreading a continuous layer, as when laying a floor covering. The image is blanket-like coverage of the whole surface.
- 築くきずくgodan verb, transitive verbCovers 'lay a foundation' in the figurative sense: building up or establishing something abstract such as a fortune, reputation, or relationship. The foundation is metaphorical rather than a physical one.
Which verb fits depends on what is being laid: 「生む」 for eggs, 「積み上げる」 for bricks, 「据える」 for a foundation set in place, 「敷き詰める」 for a layer covering a surface, and 「築く」 for foundations in a figurative sense.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- 生むうむto give birth
- 積み上げるつみあげるto pile up
- 据えるすえるto place (in position)
- 敷き詰めるしきつめるto cover a surface
- 生み付けるうみつけるto lay
- 撚るよるto twist (yarn)
- 産み落とすうみおとすto give birth to
- 仕掛けるしかけるto set (traps)
- 築くきずくto build up (a reputation, position, fortune, etc.)
- 着せるきせるto pin (e.g. a crime on someone)
- かけるto put on (e.g. a blanket)
- なすりつけるto lay (the blame on someone)
- 敷くしくto lay (e.g. railway tracks)
See also
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