Translation guide
How to express the idea of being raised or nurtured during childhood in Japanese, including common verbs and their nuances.
To say that someone was raised or grew up in a certain environment or by certain people.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to be raised' or 'to grow up'. Focuses on the natural process of growing up in an environment.
私は田舎で育ちました。
I was brought up in the countryside.
彼は愛情深い家庭で育った。
He was brought up in a loving family.
Passive form of 育てる (to raise). Emphasizes being raised by someone. Often used when the agent is specified.
彼女は祖母に育てられました。
She was brought up by her grandmother.
私は厳しく育てられた。
I was brought up strictly.
Noun meaning 'upbringing' or 'breeding'. Often used in phrases like 育ちがいい (well-bred) or 育ちが悪い (ill-bred).
彼は育ちがいい。
He was brought up well.
To specify who raised the person, often with a focus on the caregiver.
Passive of 育てる. The most direct way to say 'was brought up by someone'.
彼は叔父に育てられた。
He was brought up by his uncle.
Formal term for being raised or fostered. Used in legal or official contexts.
その子は里親に養育された。
The child was brought up by foster parents.
To describe the manner or style of upbringing, such as strictly, freely, or with certain values.
Pattern meaning 'to be brought up to be/do ~'. ように indicates the manner or goal of upbringing.
私は正直者になるように育てられた。
I was brought up to be an honest person.
彼は自立するように育てられた。
He was brought up to be independent.
Literally 'to receive ~ education'. Used when upbringing is framed as a type of education or training.
彼女は厳格な教育を受けた。
She was brought up with a strict education.
To indicate the location where someone spent their childhood.
育つ (intransitive) focuses on the natural process of growing up, while 育てられる (passive) emphasizes the action of being raised by someone. Use 育つ for general upbringing and environment, and 育てられる when the agent is important.
彼は田舎で育った。
He grew up in the countryside. (natural process)
彼は祖母に育てられた。
He was raised by his grandmother. (agent specified)
Avoid directly translating 'be brought up' as 持って来られる or similar. The concept is expressed with verbs related to raising or growing.
私は大阪で生まれ育ちました。
I was born and brought up in Osaka.