Meaning and Usage
The verb 生やす (はやす) means "to grow" or "to cultivate" something, often referring to hair, beards, or plants. It is an active verb, implying that someone causes or allows something to grow, rather than something growing by itself.
Common Contexts
Growing facial hair: 生やす is frequently used when talking about growing a beard or mustache. For example, ひげを生やす means "to grow a beard."
Cultivating plants: It can also be used for growing plants or flowers, often in a garden or natural setting.
Hair growth: It can describe growing hair longer or letting hair grow.
Collocations and Patterns
- ひげを生やす: to grow a beard, often used when someone decides to start wearing facial hair.
- 髪を生やす: to grow hair, used when someone lets their hair grow longer.
- 花を生やす: to grow flowers, used in gardening contexts.
Register and Nuance
生やす is a neutral verb suitable for everyday conversation. It is not formal or honorific. When talking about hair or beards, it often implies a deliberate action or decision.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 生やす with 生える (はえる), which means "to grow" but is intransitive (something grows by itself). 生やす is transitive and requires a direct object (something you grow). For example, you say 髭を生やす (to grow a beard) but 髭が生える (a beard grows).