Translation guide
The term 'harelip' is an outdated and often offensive English word for a cleft lip. In Japanese, the medical and neutral term is 口唇裂 (こうしんれつ). This guide focuses on how to refer to the condition naturally and sensitively in Japanese.
cleft lip (medical/neutral)
This is the standard medical term and the most neutral way to refer to the condition.
cleft lip (colloquial/descriptive)
A descriptive phrase meaning 'a state where the lip is split'. It is less clinical but still neutral.
Referring to the congenital condition where the upper lip is split, in a medical or formal context.
The standard medical term for cleft lip. It is neutral and appropriate in all formal and medical settings.
A cleft lip can be treated with surgery.
He was born with a cleft lip.
A shorter form of 口唇裂, also used in medical contexts. Slightly less common but still acceptable.
Surgery for cleft lip is performed around 3 months after birth.
This means 'cleft palate', a related but distinct condition. It is often mentioned together with cleft lip as 口唇口蓋裂 (こうしんこうがいれつ).
Treatment for cleft lip and palate requires a multidisciplinary team.
Describing the appearance or condition in everyday conversation without using medical terms.
A neutral descriptive phrase meaning 'the lip is split'. It can be used when the medical term is not known or in casual contexts.
That baby was born with a split lip.
Specifies that the condition is congenital. This is a sensitive and clear way to describe it.
Historical or discriminatory terms that should not be used.
Literally 'rabbit lip', this is the direct translation of 'harelip'. It is now considered a discriminatory term and should be avoided. Included here only for recognition.
This term is offensive and should never be used to refer to a person. Use 口唇裂 instead.
The word 'toshin' (harelip) is now considered a discriminatory term.
An archaic and highly offensive term for cleft lip, literally 'three mouths'. It is never used in modern Japanese except in historical contexts.
Extremely offensive. Do not use.
The English word 'harelip' is considered offensive by many. There is no direct equivalent in Japanese that carries the same outdated and potentially insulting nuance. The Japanese term 兎唇 (としん/いぐち) exists but is now considered discriminatory and should be avoided. Always use 口唇裂 (こうしんれつ) in medical or formal contexts, or descriptive phrases in casual conversation.
Please do not use the word 'toshin' (harelip) because it is discriminatory.
If you need to describe the condition without using medical terminology, you can say 生まれつき唇が裂けている (うまれつきくちびるがさけている) meaning 'born with a split lip'. This is a sensitive and neutral way to explain it.
She was born with a cleft lip, but she is growing up healthy.
三つ口という言葉は非常に差別的です。
The word 'mitsukuchi' is extremely discriminatory.