Translation guide
The English word 'nursery' covers several distinct concepts: a room for a baby, a place where young children are cared for, a place where plants are grown and sold, and a place for breeding young animals or fish. This guide helps you choose the right Japanese word for each meaning.
A room in a house where a baby or young child sleeps and plays.
General term for a child's room. Can be used for a nursery, but more commonly implies a room for a child who is a bit older.
We painted the nursery pink.
Loanword from English, specifically meaning a room for a baby. Common in modern homes and apartment listings.
The nursery has a crib and a changing table.
Literally 'childcare room'. More formal, often used in public facilities like department stores or hospitals, not typically for a room in a private home.
I breastfed in the department store's nursery.
A place where young children are cared for during the day, often while parents work.
Daycare center for children from infancy to preschool age. Focuses on care while parents work. Often publicly certified.
I leave my child at the nursery (daycare).
Childcare facility, often temporary or drop-in, such as in a shopping center, gym, or workplace. Less formal than 保育園.
Loanword from English. Used for some private preschools or international schools, but not a standard term for Japanese daycare.
A business that grows and sells plants, flowers, trees, and gardening supplies.
General term for a gardening shop or plant nursery. Sells plants, seeds, and gardening tools.
I bought a rose seedling at the nursery.
Literally 'plant shop'. Often a small, traditional nursery specializing in trees and shrubs. Can also refer to a gardener.
Loanword used for some plant nurseries, especially those with a Western style or name. Not as common as 園芸店.
That nursery sells rare succulents.
A facility where young animals or fish are bred and raised, often for conservation or commercial purposes.
Fish farm or aquaculture facility. Used for breeding fish, shellfish, or seaweed.
This nursery raises tuna.
Breeding facility, used for animals in conservation or research contexts.
Hatchery, specifically for fish or birds. Focuses on the hatching stage.
保育園 (hoikuen) is a daycare center that cares for children while parents work, accepting infants and toddlers. 幼稚園 (yōchien) is a kindergarten for children aged 3–5, focusing on early education. If you mean 'nursery school' in the British sense (preschool), 保育園 is closer, but 幼稚園 is also common for older preschoolers.
Although ナーサリー is a loanword, it is not the standard term for a daycare center. Use 保育園 or 託児所 instead. ナーサリー is more likely to be understood as a plant nursery or an international preschool.
ジムに託児所があるので助かります。
The gym has a nursery, which is a big help.
インターナショナルナーサリーに通っています。
My child goes to an international nursery.
I bought a pine tree at the nursery.
The zoo has a panda nursery.
We visited a salmon nursery (hatchery).