添える・副える|そえるsoeru[0]heiban (flat)
This browser can't play pronunciations (needs Safari 18.4 or later, or Chrome / Edge / Firefox).
Which spelling to use
添える添える is the usual form to write for this verb, whether it describes garnish, something accompanying a gift, or an addition that supports or props something up.
副える副える is rarely used, so learners will seldom see it; use 添える instead when writing about garnish, accompaniment, or added support.
Definitions
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto garnish; to accompany (as a card does a gift)
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto add to as support; to prop up
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto accompany (as an aid, guide, translator, etc.)
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto mimic; to imitate
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto draw something near to oneself; to approach nearby
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 添える（そえる） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 添えます（そえます） |
| Negative (nai) | 添えない（そえない） |
| polite (masen) | 添えません（そえません） |
| classical zu / nu | 添えず・添えぬ（そえず・そえぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 添えた（そえた） |
| polite (mashita) | 添えました（そえました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 添えなかった（そえなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 添えませんでした（そえませんでした） |
| Te form | 添えて（そえて） |
| Potential | 添えられる（そえられる） |
| Passive | 添えられる（そえられる） |
| Causative | 添えさせる（そえさせる） |
| Causative passive | 添えさせられる（そえさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 添えれば（そえれば） |
| tara | 添えたら（そえたら） |
| Volitional | 添えよう（そえよう） |
| polite (mashou) | 添えましょう（そえましょう） |
| Imperative | 添えろ（そえろ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Transitive / intransitive pair
花を添える
添う focuses on the thing that accompanies or is added as the subject (e.g., 花が添う 'flowers accompany'), while 添える focuses on the act of adding or attaching something as a direct object (e.g., 花を添える 'add flowers').
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym添付てんぷWrittenWritten language for attaching documents or files, as in 「ファイルを添付する」; leans toward email and paperwork attachments.
- Synonym付するふするFormalFormal officialese for affixing or referring a matter, as in 「審議に付する」; belongs to official documents, not everyday speech.
- RelatedつけるNeutralNeutral and very broad: attach or put something on, as in 「名札を付ける」; 添える is narrower, adding something as a complement or garnish.
- Antonym外すはずすNeutralNeutral: to take off or remove what has been put on — the reverse of 添える, which adds something on.
- Antonym除くのぞくWrittenWritten: to remove or leave out, standing opposite the adding sense of 添える.
Use 「添える」 to add something as a complement or garnish, as in 「花を添える」「手紙に一言添える」「料理に添える」. For attachments say 「添付」, for general attaching 「付ける」; the opposites are 「除く」 and 「外す」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
