Translation guide
A person who temporarily cares for a child not biologically their own, usually through a formal system.
The most common and neutral way to refer to a foster parent in Japanese.
The standard term for a foster parent in the child welfare system. It can also refer to pet foster parents.
She is raising three children as a foster parent.
Specifically refers to foster parents who intend to raise the child long-term, as opposed to short-term or specialized foster care.
Training is required to become a long-term foster parent.
When you need to specify the male foster parent.
Foster father. Less common than 里親 but used when gender is relevant.
He has supported many children as a foster father.
When you need to specify the female foster parent.
Foster mother. Used similarly to 里父.
She talked about her experience as a foster mother.
Referring to the whole foster family or the couple acting as foster parents.
Expressing the action of becoming or acting as a foster parent.
When referring to temporary care for animals rather than children.
里親 (foster parent) is temporary or long-term care without full legal parental rights. Adoptive parents are 養親 (ようしん). Using 里親 when you mean adoptive parent can cause confusion.
The foster care system is called 里親制度 (さとおやせいど). A foster child is 里子 (さとご). These terms are useful when discussing the system.
The foster parent couple loves the child like their own.
They are taking care of a foster child.
Temporary foster care for pets, often used by shelters. Literally 'temporary keeping'.
I volunteer as a temporary foster parent for cats.