Translation guide
The English word "cradle" has several distinct meanings: a baby's bed, the place of origin of something, a supporting frame, and the part of a telephone. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each.
A small bed for a baby, often rocking.
The most common word for a rocking cradle. Literally 'rocking basket'.
I laid the baby in the cradle.
A baby bed, often stationary. More like a crib.
I assembled the baby bed.
Loanword from English, used for modern or specific cradle designs.
I want an electric cradle.
The place where something began or was nurtured.
Literally 'place of origin'. Used for civilizations, movements, etc.
Mesopotamia is the cradle of civilization.
Literary expression meaning 'cradle land'. Often used in formal contexts.
Metaphorical use of the baby bed word, but less common than the above phrases.
A framework that supports something, like a ship or a telephone receiver.
A stand or mount for holding something. Used for ships, machinery, etc.
They repair the ship on a cradle.
A supporting base or cradle for objects.
I placed the receiver on the telephone cradle.
Loanword used for specific technical cradles, like for phones or tools.
The part of a telephone that holds the receiver.
While 揺りかご can be used metaphorically for 'place of origin', it is not used for supporting frames or telephone parts. Use the specific terms provided.
This region is considered the cradle of modern medicine.
アフリカは人類の揺りかごだ。
Africa is the cradle of humankind.
スマホをクレードルにセットする。
Set the smartphone in the cradle.