Translation guide
The English phrase "give birth" refers to the act of delivering a baby. In Japanese, the most common and neutral expression is 出産する (shussan suru), but there are several other verbs and phrases that vary by formality, context, and nuance. This guide covers the main ways to express this concept, from everyday conversation to formal and medical settings.
Expressing the act of giving birth in a straightforward, everyday manner.
The most common and neutral verb for 'give birth'. Used in both spoken and written Japanese. It is a suru-verb.
彼女は先月女の子を出産した。
She gave birth to a baby girl last month.
The due date is next month.
A common verb meaning 'to give birth' or 'to bear'. Slightly more direct and can be used for animals as well. Often used in casual conversation.
彼女は三人の子供を産んだ。
She gave birth to three children.
猫が子猫を産んだ。
The cat gave birth to kittens.
Same reading as 産む, but this kanji is used more broadly for 'to produce' or 'to give rise to'. When referring to childbirth, 産む is preferred, but 生む can appear in some contexts.
For childbirth, 産む is the standard kanji. Using 生む may be seen as less precise.
彼女は新しい命を生んだ。
She brought a new life into the world.
Expressing the act of giving birth in formal, written, or medical contexts.
Formal/medical term for 'delivery' or 'childbirth'. Used in clinical settings or official documents.
分娩は無事に終了しました。
The delivery was completed safely.
分娩室はこちらです。
The delivery room is this way.
A polite and somewhat formal way to say 'give birth'. The honorific prefix お makes it more respectful. Commonly used in polite conversation.
彼女は無事にお産を終えました。
She safely gave birth.
Focusing on the process of labor and delivery rather than the result.
Literally 'labor pains come'. Used to describe the onset of labor.
陣痛が来たので病院に行きます。
My labor has started, so I'm going to the hospital.
To go into labor; to feel the signs of impending birth.
彼女は夜中に産気づいた。
She went into labor in the middle of the night.
Expressing that an animal gives birth.
The same verb used for humans, but perfectly natural for animals.
犬が子犬を産んだ。
The dog gave birth to puppies.
Can be used for animals, especially in more formal or veterinary contexts.
パンダが出産しました。
The panda gave birth.
Using 'give birth' in a figurative sense, such as creating or producing something new.
To create, produce, or bring forth (a new idea, work, etc.). The compound verb adds a sense of 'bringing out'.
彼は新しい芸術のスタイルを生み出した。
He gave birth to a new style of art.
Can be used figuratively for producing results, profits, etc.
その政策は多くの問題を生んだ。
That policy gave birth to many problems.
Both are read うむ. 産む is specifically for giving birth (humans and animals). 生む is for producing, creating, or giving rise to something (ideas, profits, problems). For childbirth, always use 産む unless you intend a more abstract nuance.
Avoid directly translating 'give' and 'birth' as separate words. The phrase 'give birth' is a single concept in English and corresponds to specific Japanese verbs. Saying 誕生を与える (tanjou wo ataeru) is unnatural.
彼女は元気な男の子を出産しました。
She gave birth to a healthy baby boy.
出産予定日はいつですか？
When is she due to give birth?