How to say "sow" in Japanese

• まくJLPT N2approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbThe common verb for the action of sowing: scattering or planting seeds in soil, as in a field or garden. It also covers the senses 'to plant' and 'to seed'.
• 蒔き付けるまきつける
  ichidan verb, transitive verbA less common verb meaning 'to sow (seeds)'. It covers the same action as まく, but being less common, まく is usually the word you want.
  ジョニーは４６年間ねんかんりんごの種子しゅしを蒔き付まきつけた。↗

  Johnny kept planting apple seeds for 46 years.
• 雌豚めぶた
  nounA less common noun for the animal sense of 'sow': a female pig. It has nothing to do with planting seeds; for that action you need a verb such as まく.
• メス豚めすぶた
  nounThe same animal noun as 雌豚 — a female pig, 'sow' — written with katakana メス. Like 雌豚, it refers to the animal only, never to the act of sowing seeds.

For the verb 'to sow' (seeds), use 「まく」, the common verb, with 「蒔き付ける」 as a less common alternative; for the noun 'sow' meaning a female pig, use 雌豚 or 「メス豚」.

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

• まくto sow
• 蒔き付けるまきつけるto sow (seeds)
• 雌豚めぶたfemale pig
• メス豚めすぶたfemale pig
• 施すほどこすto sow