Translation guide
The concept of birth in English covers the event of being born, the act of giving birth, and related ideas like origin or lineage. This guide helps learners express these naturally in Japanese.
誕生
birth (event)
Talking about someone's birth, date of birth, or birthplace.
The most common word for 'birth' as an event. Used for people, animals, and metaphorically for organizations or ideas.
彼の誕生は家族にとって大きな喜びだった。
His birth was a great joy for the family.
誕生日はいつですか。
When is your birthday?
More formal or literary term for 'birth', often used for historical figures or in commemorative contexts.
キリストの生誕を祝う。
Celebrate the birth of Christ.
Used in official or statistical contexts, like birth records or birth rate.
出生率が低下している。
The birth rate is declining.
出生届を提出する。
Submit a birth registration.
Describing the process of childbirth or delivering a baby.
The standard word for 'giving birth' or 'childbirth'. Used for the physical act.
彼女は無事に出産した。
She gave birth safely.
出産予定日は来月です。
The due date is next month.
The most natural verb phrase for 'give birth to a child'. Note the transitive verb 産む.
彼女は元気な男の子を産んだ。
She gave birth to a healthy baby boy.
Medical term for 'delivery' or 'parturition'. Used in clinical settings.
Referring to the start or origin of something non-living, like an idea, movement, or era.
Metaphorically extends to the birth of organizations, inventions, etc.
新政党の誕生が発表された。
The birth of a new political party was announced.
Means 'beginning' or 'start', often a more natural translation than 'birth' for abstract concepts.
Means 'origin' or 'genesis', used for historical or scientific origins.
Talking about someone's birth in terms of social status, family, or ancestry.
Refers to birth in the sense of one's origin or upbringing. Often used in phrases like 生まれが良い (well-born).
彼は貴族の生まれだ。
He is of noble birth.
生まれは東京です。
I was born in Tokyo. (lit. My birthplace is Tokyo.)
Means 'origin' or 'background', often used for where someone is from or their alma mater.
誕生 (たんじょう) is the general event of being born. 出産 (しゅっさん) is the act of giving birth from the mother's perspective. 出生 (しゅっしょう) is used in official records and statistics.
The English loanword バース is not commonly used for 'birth'. It may appear in compound words like バースデー (birthday), but 誕生 or 出産 are the natural choices.
彼女は双子を産んだ。
She gave birth to twins.
宇宙の誕生。
The birth of the universe.
分娩室に向かう。
Head to the delivery room.
インターネットの始まりは1960年代だ。
The birth of the internet was in the 1960s.
Study the origin of life.
出身地はどこですか。
Where is your birthplace?