種たねをまく

expression, godan verb (-ku)

sow seeds

Literal meaning: to plant seeds in soil. Used in gardening, farming, and metaphorical contexts.

• 春はるになったら庭にわに花はなの種たねをまきます。

  When spring comes, I will sow flower seeds in the garden.

• 農のう家かは畑はたけに野や菜さいの種たねをまいた。

  The farmer sowed vegetable seeds in the field.

expression, godan verb (-ku)

sow the seeds of (something)

Idiomatic use: to cause or initiate something, often negative (conflict, discord, etc.). Typically used as ...の種をまく.

• 彼かれの無む責せき任にんな発はつ言げんが争あらそいの種たねをまいた。

  His irresponsible remark sowed the seeds of conflict.

• その政せい策さくは社しゃ会かいに不ふ安あんの種たねをまいた。

  That policy sowed the seeds of anxiety in society.