‘养育’ is a compound verb meaning 'to bring up' or 'to rear', emphasizing the long-term care, nourishment, and nurturing required to help someone or something grow and develop. The first character 养 (yǎng) means 'to nourish', 'to support', or 'to raise', while 育 (yù) means 'to give birth to', 'to foster', or 'to educate'. Together, they convey a holistic, responsible process—not just feeding or housing, but actively guiding growth and well-being.

This word is commonly used in formal or literary contexts, especially when describing parental care for children, caregiving for elders, or human responsibility toward animals or vulnerable beings. It carries a tone of duty, compassion, and sustained effort—more profound than casual terms like 照顾 (to take care of). While often applied to people, it’s also frequently used in animal welfare, conservation, and agricultural settings to describe raising livestock or endangered species with intention and care.