Translation guide
The English verb 'abort' has two main meanings: to terminate a pregnancy, and to stop a process or mission before completion. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for both.
To end a pregnancy, either medically or spontaneously.
The standard, neutral term for induced abortion. Used in medical and everyday contexts.
To halt an operation, plan, or technical procedure before it finishes, often due to a problem.
The most common and versatile word for 'abort' in the sense of stopping a planned action or event. Used for missions, launches, projects, etc.
The English verb 'abort' can be used without an object (e.g., 'She decided to abort'), but in Japanese, you usually need to specify what is being aborted (e.g., 妊娠を中絶する). Using 中絶する alone is acceptable when context is clear, but it's safer to include the object.
中止 (cancel/abort) is for stopping a planned event or action, often before it starts or during execution. 中断 (suspend/interrupt) implies a pause with possible resumption. 打ち切り (terminate/discontinue) means a permanent end, often used for projects or series.
She decided to abort the pregnancy.
A more explicit phrase meaning 'to have an abortion'. Often used in formal or legal contexts.
She received counseling before having an abortion.
Means 'to miscarry' (spontaneous abortion). Not used for induced abortion.
Only for spontaneous miscarriage, not for elective abortion.
She miscarried in early pregnancy.
A more clinical or legal term for induced abortion, sometimes with negative connotations. Less common in everyday speech.
An illegal abortion was performed.
The rocket launch was aborted due to bad weather.
A system error occurred, so please abort the operation.
Means 'to interrupt' or 'suspend', implying a temporary halt with the possibility of resuming. Often used for processes that can be restarted.
Data transfer aborted.
Means 'to terminate' or 'discontinue' something permanently, like a project or program. Stronger than 中止.
The project was aborted due to lack of funds.
A loanword from English, used mainly in computing or technical contexts (e.g., aborting a program or command).
The program wasn't responding, so I aborted it.