Translation guide
How to talk about sex change in Japanese, including medical transition, legal gender change, and casual expressions.
Referring to the medical process of changing one's physical sex characteristics.
Standard medical term for sex reassignment surgery (SRS). Literally 'gender confirmation surgery'. Used in formal and medical contexts.
She underwent sex reassignment surgery.
Commonly used term for sex change operation. More direct than 性別適合手術 but can sound slightly dated or less sensitive. Still widely understood.
The cost of sex change surgery is high.
Formal, clinical term for sex reassignment surgery. Used in medical literature and official documents.
Sex reassignment surgery is often not covered by insurance.
Referring to the legal process of changing one's gender on official documents.
Casual or everyday reference to changing one's sex.
General term for sex change, often used in media and casual conversation. Can refer to the whole process, not just surgery.
He had a sex change and became a woman.
Simple phrase meaning 'to change one's gender'. More neutral and descriptive.
I'm thinking about changing my gender.
Referring to the overall process of transitioning, which may include social, medical, and legal steps.
Term for 'transition' in the context of gender. Often used in LGBTQ+ communities.
Gender transition takes time.
Phrase meaning 'to live as a transgender person'. Emphasizes the social aspect of transition.
Terms like ニューハーフ (newhalf) or おかま (okama) are often considered derogatory or outdated when referring to transgender individuals. Use トランスジェンダー or specific terms like 性別適合手術 instead.
In Japanese, the term 性同一性障害 (gender identity disorder) was historically used but is now being replaced by 性別不合 (gender incongruence) in medical contexts. For general use, トランスジェンダー is preferred.
There are strict requirements for changing gender on the family register.
He decided to live as a transgender person.