Translation guide
The English word "barren" has several distinct meanings, from describing land that cannot support life to a woman unable to have children, and even a lack of results. Japanese uses different words for each nuance.
Describing soil, land, or a landscape that is too poor to grow plants.
The most direct and common translation for barren land. It literally means 'no hair/vegetation' and is used for deserts, wastelands, etc.
この土地は不毛だ。
This land is barren.
不毛な砂漠が広がっている。
A barren desert stretches out.
Means 'desolate' or 'ruined', often implying land that has become barren through neglect or disaster.
荒れ果てた土地を再生する。
Restore the barren land.
Literally 'thin/emaciated', used for soil that is poor in nutrients.
痩せた土地では作物が育たない。
Crops won't grow on barren soil.
Describing a woman who cannot conceive or bear children.
The standard medical and general term for infertility. Can be used for both men and women, but context usually clarifies.
彼女は不妊のため子供ができない。
She is barren and cannot have children.
Literally 'childless', a softer and more indirect way to express the state without medical connotation.
子のない夫婦が養子を迎えた。
The barren couple adopted a child.
An archaic and now offensive term for a barren woman. Avoid in modern conversation.
This word is derogatory and outdated. Use only in historical or literary contexts.
Describing animals or plants that cannot reproduce.
Same as for humans, used in veterinary or botanical contexts.
その雌馬は不妊だと診断された。
The mare was diagnosed as barren.
Specifically for plants that do not bear fruit.
この木は実をつけない。
This tree is barren.
Describing a period, effort, or activity that produces nothing useful.
Extends the 'barren land' metaphor to abstract things like discussions, efforts, or relationships.
不毛な議論に時間を費やした。
We spent time on a barren discussion.
彼の努力は不毛に終わった。
His efforts proved barren.
Literally 'without harvest', used for unfruitful endeavors.
実りのない会議だった。
It was a barren meeting.
Means 'wasteful' or 'futile', often overlaps with barren in the sense of producing no results.
無駄な努力だった。
It was a barren effort.
Describing a place or thing that completely lacks a particular quality or feature.
Use the noun + のない to mean 'without ~'. This is the most natural way to express 'barren of'.
その部屋は家具のない殺風景な空間だった。
The room was a barren space devoid of furniture.
Means 'lacking', often used in formal or written contexts.
創造性を欠いた作品。
A work barren of creativity.
不毛 (ふもう) is for land and abstract barrenness (unproductive). 不妊 (ふにん) is specifically for infertility in living beings. Do not mix them up.
While 不妊の女性 is technically correct, it can sound clinical. In sensitive contexts, use 子のない or rephrase to avoid direct labeling.
A barren woman appears in the old tale.