Translation guide
A child born to parents who are not married to each other, often from an extramarital affair. In Japanese, the most common term is neutral, but other expressions carry strong nuance.
To refer to a child whose parents were not married at the time of birth, without strong negative or positive connotation.
The standard, relatively neutral term for a child born out of wedlock. Used in legal and formal contexts, but can sound somewhat dated or clinical in everyday speech.
To refer to a child resulting from an extramarital relationship, often with a sense of secrecy or scandal.
Literally 'child of an affair'. This is the most direct and commonly understood way to express 'love child' in the sense of a child from an extramarital relationship. It carries a negative or scandalous nuance.
彼には不倫の子がいるらしい。
Apparently he has a love child.
The English phrase 'love child' can sound romantic or euphemistic, but direct translations like 愛の子 (あいのこ) are not used in Japanese and would be confusing. Use the terms above depending on context.
All three can be translated as 'illegitimate child', but 私生児 is the most general, 婚外子 is slightly more modern and used in demographics, and 非嫡出子 is strictly legal. In everyday conversation about a 'love child' from an affair, 不倫の子 or 隠し子 are more natural.
その政治家の隠し子スキャンダルで彼のキャリアは台無しになった。
The politician's love child scandal ruined his career.
Emphasizes secrecy and scandal.
He was born a love child.
Legal term meaning 'illegitimate child'. Used in official documents and discussions of inheritance law. Not used in casual conversation.
非嫡出子の相続権が問題になった。
The inheritance rights of the love child became an issue.
Literally 'child outside marriage'. A more modern and slightly less formal term than 私生児, often used in news reports.
婚外子の出生率が上昇している。
The birth rate of children born out of wedlock is rising.
Means 'hidden child'. Implies the child was kept secret, often from a spouse or the public. Strongly associated with scandal and secrecy.
有名俳優に隠し子が発覚した。
A famous actor was revealed to have a love child.
Literally 'child of a lover/mistress'. Used when the focus is on the relationship with the mistress rather than the child itself. Can sound old-fashioned or dramatic.
彼は愛人の子を認知した。
He acknowledged his love child with his mistress.