Translation guide
The female reproductive cell; an egg cell. In everyday English, 'egg' is more common, but 'ovum' is used in scientific or medical contexts.
The female gamete in animals and humans, used in biology, medicine, or formal contexts.
Standard scientific/medical term for ovum. Used in contexts like fertilization, IVF, and biology.
Referring to a woman's egg in discussions about pregnancy, fertility treatments, or ovulation.
The standard term in fertility clinics and medical discussions.
The female reproductive cell in plants or non-mammalian animals.
卵子 (らんし) specifically means ovum, especially in human/animal reproduction. 卵 (らん) is the general word for egg (including chicken eggs, fish eggs, etc.) and can be used for ovum in context. 卵細胞 (らんさいぼう) emphasizes the cellular aspect and is more technical.
卵子 is never used for eggs you eat. Use 卵 (たまご) for culinary eggs. 卵子 is strictly biological.
卵子と精子が受精する。
The ovum and sperm fertilize.
General term for egg, including ovum. In biological contexts, it can mean ovum, but is broader (also bird eggs, etc.).
哺乳類の卵は小さい。
Mammalian ova are small.
Literally 'egg cell', used in biology to emphasize the cellular nature. More technical.
卵細胞は減数分裂を経て形成される。
The egg cell is formed through meiosis.
体外受精では卵子を採取します。
In IVF, ova are retrieved.
Can be used in everyday conversation, but 卵子 is more precise for human ova.
年齢とともに卵の質が低下する。
Egg quality declines with age.
Used for egg cells in a wide range of organisms, including plants.
植物の卵細胞は胚嚢の中にある。
The plant's ovum is inside the embryo sac.
General term; context clarifies it's a gamete.
魚の卵は水中で受精する。
Fish ova are fertilized in water.