cultivate
/ˈkʌltɪveɪt; `kʌltəˌvet/ v[Tn]
1
(a) prepare and use (land, soil, etc) for growing crops 耕（地等）; 耕作.
(b) grow (crops) 种植（庄稼）.
2
(a) make (the mind, feelings, etc) more educated and refined 陶冶（思想、 感情等）
reading the best authors in an attempt to cultivate her mind 她为陶冶情操而阅读最优秀作家的作品.
(b) (sometimes derog 有时作贬义) (try to) acquire or develop (a relationship, an attitude, etc) （力求）建立或发展（某种关系）、 采取（某种态度）
cultivating the friendship of influential people 巴结有权势的人
cultivate an air of indifference 采取无动於衷的态度.
(c) (sometimes derog 有时作贬义) (try to) win the friendship or support of (sb) （力求）获得（某人）的友谊或支持
You must cultivate people who can help you in business. 你得结交在业务上对你有用的人.