苗

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 苗 is read as なえ and means a seedling or young plant ready to be grown or transplanted.
• Basic usage: It appears when seedlings are watered before planting or protected from intense sunlight.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Watering before planting
  • 苗を畑に植える前 marks the time before the seedlings are planted in the field. Example: 苗を畑に植える前に、たっぷり水を与えました。
• Protecting young plants
  • 苗を守る means shielding the seedlings from strong sunlight with thin cloth. Example: 強い日差しから苗を守るため、薄い布をかけました。