To add something alongside (e.g. garnish a dish, include a card with a gift) usually for decoration or as a small accompaniment.
サラダにレモンを添えると味が引き締まる。
A lemon added to the salad sharpens the flavor.
誕生日プレゼントにカードを添えて渡した。
I handed the birthday present with a card attached.
料理長は皿にハーブを添えて出した。
The head chef served the dish garnished with herbs.
手紙に一言添えるだけで気持ちが伝わることがある。
Sometimes adding a single line to a letter can convey your feelings.
To add something as support or reinforcement (e.g. attach evidence or supplementary material).
申請書に必要な書類をすべて添えて提出してください。
Please submit the application with all required documents attached.
レポートには出典を添えて提出するのがマナーだ。
It's good practice to attach sources when submitting a report.
説明文に図を添えて分かりやすくした。
I added diagrams to the explanation to make it easier to understand.
To have someone accompany or attend as an aid (e.g. bring a guide, interpreter, or assistant along).
重要な商談には通訳を添えて行ったほうがいい。
It's better to take an interpreter to important business meetings.
新人の作業には先輩を添えて教えることにした。
We decided to have a senior staff accompany and teach the new employee.
展示会には技術者を添えて説明できるようにした。
We arranged for a technician to accompany us to the exhibition so they could explain things.
Archaic: used historically to mean 'to mimic' or 'to imitate' (rare/obsolete usage).
古文では『師の所作を添えて学ぶ』のように、模倣の意味で"添える"が使われることがある。
In classical texts, '添える' can be used in the sense of imitation, as in 'learn by imitating the master's actions.'
Archaic: used historically to mean 'to draw something close' or 'to approach' (rare/obsolete usage).
古語表現として『袖を添える』のように、身を寄せる意味で使われることがある。
As an old usage, expressions like '添える the sleeve' can mean to draw oneself close.