Translation guide
The English word "barren" has several distinct meanings, from describing land that cannot support life to a woman unable to have children, and even a lack of results. Japanese uses different words for each nuance.
Describing soil, land, or a landscape that is too poor to grow plants.
The most direct and common translation for barren land. It literally means 'no hair/vegetation' and is used for deserts, wastelands, etc.
This land is barren.
A barren desert stretches out.
Means 'desolate' or 'ruined', often implying land that has become barren through neglect or disaster.
Restore the barren land.
Literally 'thin/emaciated', used for soil that is poor in nutrients.
Crops won't grow on barren soil.
Describing a woman who cannot conceive or bear children.
The standard medical and general term for infertility. Can be used for both men and women, but context usually clarifies.
She is barren and cannot have children.
Literally 'childless', a softer and more indirect way to express the state without medical connotation.
The barren couple adopted a child.
An archaic and now offensive term for a barren woman. Avoid in modern conversation.
This word is derogatory and outdated. Use only in historical or literary contexts.
Describing animals or plants that cannot reproduce.
Describing a period, effort, or activity that produces nothing useful.
Extends the 'barren land' metaphor to abstract things like discussions, efforts, or relationships.
We spent time on a barren discussion.
His efforts proved barren.
Literally 'without harvest', used for unfruitful endeavors.
It was a barren meeting.
Means 'wasteful' or 'futile', often overlaps with barren in the sense of producing no results.
It was a barren effort.
Describing a place or thing that completely lacks a particular quality or feature.
Use the noun + のない to mean 'without ~'. This is the most natural way to express 'barren of'.
The room was a barren space devoid of furniture.
Means 'lacking', often used in formal or written contexts.
A work barren of creativity.
不毛 (ふもう) is for land and abstract barrenness (unproductive). 不妊 (ふにん) is specifically for infertility in living beings. Do not mix them up.
While 不妊の女性 is technically correct, it can sound clinical. In sensitive contexts, use 子のない or rephrase to avoid direct labeling.
昔話に石女が登場する。
A barren woman appears in the old tale.