Translation guide
The English word 'by-blow' is rare and has two distinct meanings: an illegitimate child (archaic) and an incidental or indirect blow/strike. This guide covers both.
To refer to a child born out of wedlock, using an archaic or literary term.
The standard, neutral term for an illegitimate child. Used in legal or formal contexts.
To describe a blow that is not the main one, or a strike that hits something else incidentally.
The English word 'by-blow' is extremely rare in modern English. In Japanese, the 'illegitimate child' meaning is best expressed with 私生児 or 隠し子. The 'incidental blow' meaning has no direct equivalent; use phrases like 流れ弾 or 巻き添え depending on context.
He was born an illegitimate child.
Literally 'hidden child', implies the child was kept secret. Often used for children from extramarital affairs.
彼には隠し子がいるらしい。
Apparently he has a secret love child.
Archaic/literary term for an illegitimate child, often with a nuance of being abandoned or unfortunate. Similar in tone to 'by-blow'.
彼は貴族の落とし子だった。
He was the by-blow of a nobleman.
A stray bullet; used metaphorically for an unintended hit or consequence. Not a direct translation of 'by-blow' but captures the idea of an incidental strike.
彼は流れ弾に当たった。
He was hit by a stray bullet.
To get caught up in something and suffer collateral damage; to be a by-blow victim. Idiomatic.
喧嘩の巻き添えを食って殴られた。
I got punched as a by-blow of the fight.
To suffer from the indirect effects of something; to be hit by the fallout. Colloquial.
上司の失敗のとばっちりを受けた。
I suffered a by-blow from my boss's mistake.