Translation guide
In Japanese, maternity leave is typically divided into prenatal and postnatal leave, with specific legal terms. The most common everyday expression is 産休 (sankyū).
The overall period of leave from work for childbirth and recovery.
Abbreviation of 産前産後休業. The most common, everyday term for maternity leave. Covers both prenatal and postnatal leave.
She will go on maternity leave next month.
Until when is your maternity leave?
The formal, legal term for maternity leave, literally 'prenatal and postnatal leave'. Used in official documents and HR contexts.
The period of maternity leave is stipulated by law.
Loanword from English. Sometimes used in international companies or casual conversation, but 産休 is much more common.
I plan to take maternity leave.
The leave taken before childbirth.
Specifically refers to the leave before childbirth, usually starting 6 weeks (14 weeks for multiple births) before the expected due date.
Prenatal leave can be taken from 6 weeks before the expected date of delivery.
The leave taken after childbirth for recovery.
Specifically refers to the leave after childbirth, usually 8 weeks after delivery.
Postnatal leave is 8 weeks from the day after childbirth.
Leave taken after maternity leave to care for the child, often called 'parental leave' in English.
How to say 'to take maternity leave' in Japanese.
The most common way to say 'take maternity leave'. The verb 取る (とる) means 'to take'.
I plan to take maternity leave next year.
Literally 'enter maternity leave', used to indicate the start of the leave period.
A more formal way to say 'take maternity leave', often used in written or official contexts.
産休 (sankyū) is maternity leave for childbirth and recovery, while 育休 (ikukyū) is childcare leave for raising the child. Legally, 産休 is divided into 産前休業 (prenatal) and 産後休業 (postnatal). After 産休 ends, parents can take 育休. In casual conversation, 産休 may be used loosely to include both, but in formal contexts they are distinct.
When maternity leave ends, I will switch to childcare leave.
Avoid literal translations like 母性休暇 (bosei kyūka) or 出産休暇 (shussan kyūka). While understandable, they are not standard terms and sound unnatural. Stick to 産休 or the formal 産前産後休業.
Childcare leave can be taken for up to 2 years.
The formal term for childcare leave. Used in legal and official contexts.
The number of employees using the childcare leave system is increasing.
She started her maternity leave last week.
When taking maternity leave, prior application is required.