Translation guide
In Japanese, expressing 'childcare' depends on whether you mean the act of caring for children, a facility, or the broader social system. The most common word is 育児 (ikuji) for parenting and child-rearing, while 保育 (hoiku) is used for professional childcare and daycare. For facilities, 保育園 (hoikuen) and 託児所 (takujisho) are common.
The general act of raising and caring for one's own children, especially at home.
The standard term for child-rearing and parenting. Covers all aspects of raising a child from infancy.
Literally 'raising children'. More casual and warm than 育児, often used in everyday conversation.
子育ては大変だけど楽しい。
Childcare is tough but fun.
Care provided by professionals in a facility, such as a daycare center or nursery.
Refers to professional childcare, often in a nursery or daycare setting. Used in compound words like 保育園 (nursery school).
保育の質を向上させる。
Improve the quality of childcare.
保育士になりたい。
I want to become a childcare worker.
Temporary childcare, often for short periods (e.g., while shopping or at an event).
A physical place where children are cared for, such as a nursery or daycare center.
A daycare center or nursery school, typically for children from infancy to preschool age. Often publicly licensed.
子どもを保育園に預けている。
I leave my child at a daycare center.
A temporary childcare facility, often found in shopping malls, gyms, or event venues.
Kindergarten, for children aged 3–6. More educational than daycare, but often included in 'childcare' discussions.
Time off work to care for a child.
Childcare leave, often used for the legally mandated leave. Also called 育休 (いくきゅう) for short.
育児休暇を取得する男性が増えている。
More men are taking childcare leave.
Abbreviation of 育児休暇. Very common in casual and workplace conversation.
A person who works professionally in childcare.
A certified childcare worker or nursery teacher. The standard term for professionals in daycare centers.
保育士の資格を取る。
Get a childcare worker qualification.
Older term for a female childcare worker, now largely replaced by 保育士. Still seen in some contexts.
昔は保母と呼ばれていた。
They used to be called nursery maids.
育児 (ikuji) refers to parenting and child-rearing by parents, while 保育 (hoiku) refers to professional childcare services. Use 育児 when talking about raising your own child, and 保育 when discussing daycare or nursery services.
育児は親の責任だ。
Child-rearing is the parents' responsibility.
保育園で保育を受ける。
Receive childcare at a nursery school.
The English loanword チャイルドケア (chairudokea) is not commonly used in Japanese. Stick to the native terms above.
There is a childcare service during the event.
This department store has a childcare center.
来年から幼稚園に通います。
My child will start kindergarten next year.
育休はいつまで取れますか？
How long can I take childcare leave?