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.
Temporary foster care for pets, often used by shelters. Literally 'temporary keeping'.
I volunteer as a temporary foster parent for cats.