Translation guide
In Japanese, maternity leave is typically divided into prenatal and postnatal leave, with specific legal terms. The most common everyday expression is 産休 (sankyū).
The overall period of leave from work for childbirth and recovery.
Abbreviation of 産前産後休業. The most common, everyday term for maternity leave. Covers both prenatal and postnatal leave.
彼女は来月から産休に入ります。
She will go on maternity leave next month.
産休はいつまでですか。
Until when is your maternity leave?
The formal, legal term for maternity leave, literally 'prenatal and postnatal leave'. Used in official documents and HR contexts.
産前産後休業の期間は法律で定められています。
The period of maternity leave is stipulated by law.
Loanword from English. Sometimes used in international companies or casual conversation, but 産休 is much more common.
マタニティリーブを取る予定です。
I plan to take maternity leave.
The leave taken before childbirth.
Specifically refers to the leave before childbirth, usually starting 6 weeks (14 weeks for multiple births) before the expected due date.
産前休業は出産予定日の6週間前から取得できます。
Prenatal leave can be taken from 6 weeks before the expected date of delivery.
The leave taken after childbirth for recovery.
Specifically refers to the leave after childbirth, usually 8 weeks after delivery.
産後休業は出産の翌日から8週間です。
Postnatal leave is 8 weeks from the day after childbirth.
Leave taken after maternity leave to care for the child, often called 'parental leave' in English.
Abbreviation of 育児休業. Refers to childcare leave, which can be taken by either parent after maternity leave ends. Often used in combination with 産休.
産休の後、育休を取るつもりです。
After maternity leave, I plan to take childcare leave.
育休は最長で2年間取得できます。
Childcare leave can be taken for up to 2 years.
How to say 'to take maternity leave' in Japanese.
The most common way to say 'take maternity leave'. The verb 取る (とる) means 'to take'.
来年、産休を取る予定です。
I plan to take maternity leave next year.
Literally 'enter maternity leave', used to indicate the start of the leave period.
彼女は先週、産休に入りました。
She started her maternity leave last week.
A more formal way to say 'take maternity leave', often used in written or official contexts.
産休を取得する際は、事前に申請が必要です。
When taking maternity leave, prior application is required.
産休 (sankyū) is maternity leave for childbirth and recovery, while 育休 (ikukyū) is childcare leave for raising the child. Legally, 産休 is divided into 産前休業 (prenatal) and 産後休業 (postnatal). After 産休 ends, parents can take 育休. In casual conversation, 産休 may be used loosely to include both, but in formal contexts they are distinct.
産休が終わったら、育休に切り替えます。
When maternity leave ends, I will switch to childcare leave.
Avoid literal translations like 母性休暇 (bosei kyūka) or 出産休暇 (shussan kyūka). While understandable, they are not standard terms and sound unnatural. Stick to 産休 or the formal 産前産後休業.
The formal term for childcare leave. Used in legal and official contexts.
育児休業制度を利用する従業員が増えています。
The number of employees using the childcare leave system is increasing.