Translation guide
A child raised by someone other than their biological parents, often through a formal care arrangement. In Japanese, the term depends on the legal and emotional context, with distinctions between formal foster care, adoption, and informal upbringing.
A child placed in a state-registered foster home or under the care of foster parents through the child welfare system.
She grew up as a foster child.
A descriptive phrase meaning 'a child placed with foster parents'. Used when explaining the situation rather than labeling the child.
That child is a foster child (placed with foster parents).
A child who has been legally adopted and is now a permanent member of the family, often with full legal rights as a biological child.
The legal term for an adopted child. Unlike '里子', this implies a permanent legal relationship, often with inheritance rights.
He was welcomed into the family as an adopted child.
A phrase meaning 'a child who has been adopted through legal procedures'. More formal and explicit.
A child brought up by someone who is not their biological parent, without formal foster or adoption arrangements. This can include relatives or family friends.
Literally 'a child raised by a raising parent'. '育ての親' contrasts with '生みの親' (biological parent) and implies a nurturing role without legal ties.
He was lovingly raised by his foster parents (non-biological).
A child taken in by relatives. Common in Japan when parents cannot care for the child, often without formal foster care involvement.
A child living in a residential care facility, not with a foster family.
Refers to a child in a children's home or orphanage. In Japan, many children in state care live in such facilities rather than with foster families.
He grew up in a children's home.
里子 (satogo) is a child in temporary foster care, while 養子 (yōshi) is a legally adopted child. The former is under the child welfare system; the latter is a permanent family member with full legal rights. Using the wrong term can cause confusion about the child's legal status.
The direct translation 'フォスターチャイルド' is not commonly used in Japanese. It may be understood in international contexts but sounds unnatural. Use the appropriate Japanese term based on the situation.
An adopted child has the same rights as a biological child.
After losing his parents, he was taken in by relatives.