Translation guide
Describes the physical pain experienced during childbirth. In Japanese, the most common term is 陣痛 (じんつう), which specifically refers to labor pains. Related expressions exist for the broader context of childbirth.
The regular, painful contractions of the uterus during childbirth.
The standard medical and everyday term for labor pains. Refers specifically to the rhythmic contractions.
The difficulties or struggles preceding a significant creation or change.
陣痛 is the clinical term for labor contractions. 産みの苦しみ is more poetic and often used metaphorically. In a medical context, always use 陣痛.
Do not translate 'labor pains' word-for-word as 労働の痛み (ろうどうのいたみ). That would mean 'work-related pain' and is incorrect.
陣痛が始まった。
Labor pains have started.
陣痛の間隔が短くなってきた。
The intervals between labor pains are getting shorter.
Literally 'the pain of giving birth'. A more literary or emotional expression, often used metaphorically for the struggles before a creation or achievement.
産みの苦しみを乗り越えて、新しい命が生まれた。
Overcoming the pains of childbirth, a new life was born.
Commonly used metaphorically to describe the hardships before a new project, idea, or era is born.
新製品の開発は産みの苦しみの連続だった。
The development of the new product was a series of labor pains.
Sometimes used metaphorically in formal or journalistic contexts to describe societal or organizational upheaval.
社会改革の陣痛が国中に広がっている。
The labor pains of social reform are spreading throughout the country.