Translation guide
The English verb "reproduce" has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common uses for learners: biological reproduction, making copies, and recreating something.
To produce offspring or new individuals of the same species.
The most common and general term for biological reproduction, used for animals, plants, and microorganisms.
ウサギは繁殖するのが早い。
Rabbits reproduce quickly.
A more technical or biological term, often used in scientific contexts to refer to sexual or asexual reproduction.
To produce a copy of something, such as a document, image, or sound.
The standard term for making a duplicate or copy of a physical or digital item.
この書類を複製してください。
Please reproduce this document.
A very common loanword from English, used in everyday situations for photocopying or duplicating files.
To cause something to happen again in the same way, or to recreate a situation or effect.
The primary term for recreating a situation, phenomenon, or result. Often used in science, technology, and art.
科学者たちは実験結果を再現しようとした。
The scientists tried to reproduce the experimental results.
Both mean 'to copy' or 'to reproduce' in the sense of making a duplicate. 複製する is more formal and often used for official documents or artworks. コピーする is casual and commonly used for photocopying or digital copying.
While 'reproduce' can be translated as 繁殖する, using it for humans in everyday conversation can sound clinical. In casual contexts, phrases like 子供を作る (to have a child) or 子供ができる (to have a baby) are more natural.
その芸術家は大理石で彫刻を複製した。
The artist reproduced the sculpture in marble.
そのエラーを自分のコンピューターで再現できますか。
Can you reproduce the error on your computer?
Many plants reproduce by seeds.
Literally 'to leave descendants', this phrase emphasizes the continuation of a lineage. It is often used when discussing evolutionary biology or the purpose of life.
生物の目的は子孫を残すことだ。
The purpose of living things is to reproduce.
このページをコピーしてもいいですか。
May I reproduce this page?
Used when reproducing something exactly as it was, often in the context of recreating conditions, experiments, or artistic works.
彼はその絵を完璧に再現した。
He reproduced the painting perfectly.
Often used for playing back audio or video, but can also mean to reproduce or regenerate in a broader sense.
この機械は音を忠実に再生する。
This machine reproduces sound faithfully.