1To provide for or financially support someone (e.g., a family); to maintain someone’s living expenses.
父は一家を養うために毎日働いている。
My father works every day to support the family.
奨学金だけでは学費を養うのは難しい。
It’s difficult to cover tuition with scholarships alone.
彼女はアルバイトで自分の生活を養っている。
She supports herself with part‑time work.
2To bring up, raise, or rear (children, animals); to feed and care for someone/something as they grow.
両親は子どもを厳しくも愛情を持って養った。
Her parents raised her strictly but with love.
最後までペットを養う責任がある。
You have the responsibility to care for a pet until the end.
祖父母が幼い孫を養ってくれた。
The grandparents raised (looked after) their young grandchild.
3To adopt (a child); to take a child into one’s care (as an adopted/ foster child).
彼らは里子を養うことに決めた。
They decided to take in a foster child.
特別養子縁組で子どもを養う家庭が増えている。
More families are adopting children through special adoption arrangements.
4To cultivate, develop, or foster (a habit, quality, skill, etc.); to build up over time.
読書の習慣を養うために毎晩30分読むことにした。
I decided to read 30 minutes every night to cultivate a reading habit.
忍耐力を養うために毎日練習を続けている。
He keeps practicing every day to build up his patience.
5To recuperate or restore health; to nourish and recuperate the body (similar to 'to recuperate').
手術後は十分に休んで体を養ってください。
After the surgery, rest well and recuperate your body.
冬は栄養を取って体を養うことが大切だ。
In winter it's important to take in nourishment and keep your body strong.