Translation guide
In Japanese, the concept of childbirth is expressed through several terms that differ in formality, context, and nuance. The most common general term is 出産, while お産 is a softer, more personal expression. Medical and formal contexts often use 分娩, and the act of giving birth is 出産する or 産む.
The most common and neutral way to refer to childbirth in everyday conversation and writing.
The standard, neutral term for childbirth. Can be used in most contexts, from casual to formal.
彼女は無事に出産を終えた。
She safely gave birth.
出産予定日は来月です。
The due date is next month.
A softer, more personal and somewhat traditional term for childbirth. Often used in family contexts or by women. The prefix お adds politeness and warmth.
お産が軽くてよかったね。
It's good that the delivery was easy.
Used in medical settings, official documents, or formal discussions about childbirth.
The clinical term for childbirth or delivery. Commonly used in hospitals and medical literature.
分娩室はこちらです。
The delivery room is this way.
無痛分娩を希望します。
I would like an epidural (painless delivery).
Expressing the action of giving birth.
The verb form of 出産. Neutral and widely used.
来月出産する予定です。
I'm due to give birth next month.
The most basic verb meaning 'to give birth.' Often used for animals as well, but perfectly natural for humans. More direct than 出産する.
彼女は元気な男の子を産んだ。
She gave birth to a healthy baby boy.
Same pronunciation as 産む, but this kanji is used more broadly for 'to produce' or 'to give rise to.' For childbirth, 産む is preferred, but 生む is sometimes seen.
For childbirth, 産む is the standard kanji. Using 生む may be seen as less precise.
Referring to the experience or process of childbirth, often in a narrative or descriptive way.
Literally 'the experience of childbirth.' Used when talking about what it was like.
出産の経験を話してください。
Please tell me about your childbirth experience.
A more personal way to say 'during childbirth' or 'at the time of delivery.'
お産のときはとても痛かった。
It was very painful during childbirth.
Specific terms related to types of childbirth.
Natural childbirth, without medical intervention.
自然分娩を選びました。
I chose natural childbirth.
Cesarean section. Often abbreviated as 帝切 (ていせつ) in medical contexts.
帝王切開で産みました。
I gave birth by C-section.
Water birth.
水中出産を希望する人もいます。
Some people wish to have a water birth.
出産 is the standard, all-purpose term. お産 is softer and more personal, often used by women or in family settings. 分娩 is clinical and used in medical contexts. For everyday conversation, 出産 is safest.
出産おめでとう！
Congratulations on the birth!
お産は大変だったけど、赤ちゃんは元気よ。
The delivery was tough, but the baby is healthy.
分娩の経過は順調です。
The progress of labor is going well.
Both are read うむ, but 産む specifically means 'to give birth' (to a baby or animal). 生む means 'to produce' or 'to create' in a broader sense (e.g., 利益を生む 'to generate profit'). For childbirth, always use 産む unless you intend the broader meaning.
To bring forth new life.