設ける

もうける

to create, to establish

JLPT N1

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

The verb 設ける (もうける) primarily means "to establish," "to set up," or "to create" something tangible or intangible, such as a department, rule, or facility. It is often used in formal or business contexts when referring to the creation or provision of systems, rules, or physical spaces.

Common Contexts

  • Establishing departments or offices within organizations.
  • Creating rules, regulations, or systems.
  • Setting up special counters or facilities for events or services.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 部署を設ける (ぶしょをもうける): to establish a department.
  • 規則を設ける (きそくをもうける): to set a rule.
  • 窓口を設ける (まどぐちをもうける): to set up a counter.

These collocations highlight the formal and organizational nuance of the verb.

Register and Nuance

設ける is a formal verb often used in written or business Japanese. It implies intentional creation or provision, often with a sense of planning or official action. It is not used for casual or spontaneous creation.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse 設ける with 設立する (せつりつする), which also means "to establish." 設立する is more often used for founding companies or organizations, while 設ける is broader and includes setting up rules or facilities. Remember that 設ける can be used transitively to mean "to provide" or "to set up" something specific.

Example Sentences

かいしゃはあたらしいぶしょをもうけることにした。

The company decided to establish a new department.

このきそくはあんぜんのためにもうけられた。

This rule was established for safety.

イベントのためにとくべつなまどぐちをもうけた。

A special counter was set up for the event.