Translation guide
Describes the state of carrying a developing baby. Japanese has several common expressions, with the most neutral and widely used being 妊娠している. Other terms vary by formality, context, and nuance.
To say someone is pregnant in a neutral, everyday way.
The standard, neutral way to say 'is pregnant'. Used in both spoken and written Japanese.
She is pregnant.
I found out I'm pregnant.
A euphemistic, somewhat old-fashioned or gentle way to refer to pregnancy, often implying a happy event. Can be used as 'おめでたです'.
Are you expecting?
A warm, colloquial way to say 'there's a baby in the belly'. Common in casual conversation.
I have a baby in my belly.
A literary or formal term for being pregnant, often used in written language or historical contexts.
to work while pregnant
To express the act of conceiving or getting pregnant.
The standard verb for 'to become pregnant'. Used in all contexts.
She got pregnant last month.
Literally 'to be blessed with a child'. A humble, grateful way to say 'become pregnant', often used by the couple themselves.
We were finally blessed with a child.
A somewhat archaic or literary term for 'to conceive'. Rare in modern conversation.
To refer to a pregnant woman as a person.
To talk about pregnancy as a state or condition.
To refer to a pregnancy test or medical check.
To describe an animal that is pregnant.
English phrases like 'she's expecting' or 'she's in the family way' do not translate directly. Use 妊娠している or おめでた for euphemisms.
She's expecting.
妊娠 is clinical and neutral; おめでた is a softer, congratulatory euphemism. Use おめでた when you want to sound happy and polite, but it may sound old-fashioned to some.
Congratulations on your pregnancy!
Congratulations on the happy news!
She is three months pregnant.
I think I might be pregnant.
彼女は身ごもった。
She conceived.
Women who are pregnant need to be careful.
懐妊の知らせ
news of pregnancy
Specifically a home pregnancy test kit.
I bought a pregnancy test at the pharmacy.