Translation guide
In Japanese, the concept of 'babysitting' is expressed through different words and phrases depending on the context, such as whether it's a paid job, a favor for a friend, or simply watching children. The most common and versatile term is 子守 (こもり), but other expressions like ベビーシッター and 子守りをする are also used.
Expressing the act of looking after children, either as a job or informally.
The most common and general term for babysitting or childcare. Can be used as a noun or as part of a verb phrase (子守をする).
今日は妹の子守をしている。
I'm babysitting my little sister today.
子守は大変な仕事だ。
Babysitting is a tough job.
Loanword from English 'babysitter'. Often used for paid, professional babysitting services. Can also be used as a verb with をする.
週末にベビーシッターを頼んだ。
I hired a babysitter for the weekend.
Verb phrase meaning 'to babysit' or 'to look after a child'. The noun 子守り is a variation of 子守.
彼女は近所の子供の子守りをしている。
She babysits the neighbor's child.
A more general phrase meaning 'to take care of a child'. It implies looking after the child's needs, not just watching them.
姉が私の子供の面倒を見てくれた。
My older sister took care of my child for me.
Refers to the role or duty of a babysitter, often used in contexts like assigning tasks or describing a person's function.
彼はパーティーで子守役を買って出た。
He volunteered for the babysitting role at the party.
Specifically referring to hiring a babysitter as a paid service.
Means 'to hire a babysitter'. This is the most direct way to talk about employing someone for childcare.
今夜はベビーシッターを雇って出かける。
We're hiring a babysitter and going out tonight.
A more casual way to say 'to ask for a sitter' or 'to request a babysitter'. シッター is a common abbreviation of ベビーシッター.
急にシッターを頼むことになった。
I suddenly had to ask for a babysitter.
Casually looking after children, often for a short time or as a favor.
Literally 'to watch the child'. A simple and common way to say you're keeping an eye on a child, often used in informal settings.
ちょっと子供を見ていてくれる？
Can you watch the kids for a bit?
Means 'to be asked to babysit'. Useful when someone requests you to look after their child.
友達に子守を頼まれた。
I was asked to babysit by a friend.
子守 is a native Japanese word that can refer to both informal and professional childcare, while ベビーシッター is a loanword that strongly implies a paid, often part-time job. In casual conversation, 子守 is more common, but for services like agencies, ベビーシッター is standard.
彼女は大学生の時、子守のアルバイトをしていた。
She worked a babysitting part-time job when she was a university student.
ベビーシッターの資格を取った。
I got a babysitter certification.
The English word 'babysitting' is a gerund, but directly translating it as ベビーシッティング is not natural in Japanese. Instead, use noun forms like 子守 or verb phrases like 子守をする.
週末は子守で忙しい。
I'm busy with babysitting on the weekend.
毎週土曜日に子守をしています。
I do babysitting every Saturday.
金曜の夜のベビーシッターを探さないと。
We need to find a babysitter for Friday night.
彼女は甥っ子の面倒を見ている。
She's babysitting her nephew.