Meaning and Usage
The verb 蒔く (まく) specifically means "to sow seeds" in a literal agricultural sense. It is used when planting seeds in soil to grow plants, flowers, or crops. This word is common in contexts related to farming, gardening, and horticulture.
Common Collocations
- 種を蒔く (たねをまく): to sow seeds
- 花の種を蒔く (はなのたねをまく): to sow flower seeds
- 畑に蒔く (はたけにまく): to sow in the field
These collocations emphasize the act of planting seeds in different settings.
Register and Nuance
蒔く is a neutral verb used in everyday conversation and writing about planting. It is more specific than the general verb 撒く (also まく), which can mean "to scatter" or "to sprinkle" various things like salt or water. 蒔く is reserved for seeds.
Common Learner Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse 蒔く (to sow seeds) with 撒く (to scatter or sprinkle). Remember 蒔く is only for seeds, while 撒く can be used for salt, water, or other small particles. Using 蒔く for salt or water would be incorrect.
Summary
Use 蒔く when talking about planting seeds in soil. It is a practical word for gardening and farming contexts and helps distinguish seed-sowing from other types of scattering or sprinkling.