Translation guide
The concept of fertility in Japanese can refer to the ability to conceive children, the richness of soil, or the productiveness of the mind. The most common and direct translation is 生殖能力 (seishoku nōryoku) for biological fertility, but other terms are used depending on context.
The ability of a person, animal, or plant to produce offspring.
The standard, formal term for reproductive capacity. Used in medical, biological, and general contexts.
加齢とともに生殖能力は低下する。
Fertility declines with age.
Specifically refers to the ability to conceive or become pregnant. More clinical than 生殖能力.
彼女は受胎能力が低いと診断された。
She was diagnosed with low fertility.
A medical term for fecundity or the ability to become pregnant and carry to term. Used in fertility treatment contexts.
妊孕性温存治療について相談したい。
I'd like to discuss fertility preservation treatment.
The quality of soil that enables it to provide nutrients for plant growth.
The standard term for soil fertility in agricultural and scientific contexts.
この土地の肥沃度は高い。
The fertility of this land is high.
Refers to the inherent productive power of soil, often used in farming contexts.
連作で地力が落ちた。
The soil fertility declined due to continuous cropping.
A common, natural phrase meaning 'the soil is fertile.'
この辺りの土は肥えている。
The soil around here is fertile.
The quality of being highly productive or inventive in ideas.
Means 'creativity' or 'creative power.' Often used to describe a fertile imagination.
彼は豊かな創造力を持っている。
He has a fertile imagination.
Describes someone rich in ideas or resourceful. A natural way to say 'fertile mind.'
彼女は発想が豊かだ。
She has a fertile mind.
The average number of children born to a woman over her lifetime.
The standard term for 'birth rate' or 'fertility rate' in demographic statistics.
日本の出生率は低下し続けている。
Japan's fertility rate continues to decline.
The English word 'fertility' covers several distinct concepts. In Japanese, there is no single word that encompasses all meanings. Always choose the term that matches the specific context (reproduction, soil, creativity, demographics). Using 生殖能力 for soil fertility would be incorrect.
The technical term for 'total fertility rate' (TFR). Used in official statistics.
合計特殊出生率が1.3を下回った。
The total fertility rate fell below 1.3.