What is the french word for nurture?

Answer 1

You might use the word nourrir (je nourris, nous nourrissons, etc.), which literally means "to feed" but can figuratively apply to things like an idea, a talent, etc.

For bringing up a child, you would use élever (j'élève, nous élevons, etc.) and for a plant soigner (je soigne, nous soignons, etc.).

another note: "to nurture a child" tends to have a caring connotation that would probably require a descriptive phrase in French (maybe "aider à s'épanouir")

Takamo added:

I am in agreement. The proximal translation of nurture is nourrir or to "feed" because the french do not have a word, that its meaning, is identical to the word nurture. The word nurture has a literal meaning in English, to feed also, but its use is commonly context in a loving, caring nature. So the word nurture could also be associated with caring, rearing in a loving environment, or meticulous raising of a plant or dog. (as not to make mistakes)

The word élever, is literaly "raise". The English language transformed the french word élever to be "elevate".

Soigner is literaly translated "caring"

As with the English language, the french often have words that have multiple meanings. More so with the french language, the translation between other languages needs to have context associated with it to be able to offer words similer in meaning. Of course, there are words that have similer sounds, and have the exact same meaning as in the word élever.