Translation guide
The English word 'progeny' refers to offspring, descendants, or the results of creative effort. This guide covers natural Japanese ways to express these ideas, from everyday words for children to formal terms for lineage and figurative results.
To refer to one's own children or the young of animals in everyday language.
The most common and neutral word for 'child' or 'children'. Can refer to one's own children or children in general.
He has three children.
The children are playing in the park.
A shorter, slightly more formal or literary word for 'child'. Often used in compounds or when referring to one's own child in humble contexts.
She was not blessed with children.
Alternative kanji/kana spelling of 子供, often used in educational or softer contexts. Same meaning.
Let's think about the children's future.
To refer to descendants, future generations, or family lineage in a more formal or historical sense.
The standard word for 'descendants' or 'posterity'. Used in formal, historical, or legal contexts.
His descendants still live in this town.
Protect the environment for posterity.
A more literary or historical term for 'descendant', often implying a distant descendant of a notable figure.
A very formal and rare term for 'descendant', mostly found in written historical or genealogical texts.
To refer to the young of animals or new plants produced by a parent organism.
Used for animal offspring, often as a suffix or in compounds like 子犬 (puppy), 子猫 (kitten).
This cat gave birth to three kittens.
A kanji specifically for animal offspring, often used in technical or veterinary contexts. Same reading as 子.
Refers to a young tree, a plant offspring. Not a direct translation of 'progeny' but used for plant progeny.
To refer to works, ideas, or outcomes that are the 'offspring' of one's mind or effort.
Means 'product' or 'fruit' of something, often used figuratively for results of labor or thought.
This novel is the progeny of his imagination.
A formal word meaning 'result' or 'product', often used in academic or literary contexts.
Literally 'crystal', used metaphorically to mean 'fruit' or 'culmination' of efforts, like a crystallized result.
Directly translating 'progeny' as 子孫 or 末裔 in everyday conversation about your own children will sound overly formal or strange. Use 子供 or 子 instead.
My progeny are still small. (unnatural)
My children are still small. (natural)
彼は武士の末裔だと言われている。
He is said to be a descendant of samurai.
その家系の後裔は絶えた。
The descendants of that family line have died out.
A calf was born.
This young tree was grown from the parent tree.
This theory is the progeny of years of research.
この作品は彼の人生の結晶だ。
This work is the progeny of his life.