Translation guide
Describes a person, animal, or plant lacking normal pigmentation. In Japanese, the most common term is アルビノ, a loanword from English. For people, 白子 is also used but can be sensitive. For animals, 白変種 is a technical term. This guide covers how to refer to albino beings naturally.
To refer to a person or animal with albinism in everyday conversation.
The most common and neutral term for albino people and animals. Widely understood.
To describe a plant lacking chlorophyll, appearing white or pale.
While 白子 (しらこ) literally means 'white child' and is used for albino animals and plants, it can carry negative connotations when applied to people. In modern Japanese, アルビノ is preferred for referring to people with albinism to avoid offense. When in doubt, use アルビノ.
あのウサギはアルビノだ。
That rabbit is an albino.
彼はアルビノとして生まれた。
He was born as an albino.
Literally 'white child', used for albino people and animals. Can be considered insensitive when referring to people; use with caution. More common in traditional or literary contexts.
May be perceived as derogatory when referring to people. Prefer アルビノ in sensitive contexts.
白子のヘビを見たことがありますか？
Have you ever seen an albino snake?
Technical term for albino or leucistic varieties in biology. Used mainly in scientific contexts.
この鳥は白変種です。
This bird is an albino variety.
Used for albino plants as well, though less common than for animals.
アルビノの植物は光合成ができない。
Albino plants cannot photosynthesize.