Translation guide
In Japanese, the concept of a 'single mother' is most commonly expressed with terms that emphasize the mother raising children alone. The most natural and common term is シングルマザー, a loanword from English. More formal or legal terms exist, as well as descriptive phrases. The choice depends on context and formality.
To refer to a mother who is raising her child or children without a partner, in everyday conversation.
The most common and natural term in modern Japanese, borrowed from English. Widely understood and used in both casual and semi-formal contexts.
彼女はシングルマザーとして二人の子供を育てている。
She is raising two children as a single mother.
Literally 'mother of a fatherless family'. This is a more formal and descriptive term, often used in official or statistical contexts. It emphasizes the household situation.
母子家庭の母への支援が必要だ。
Support for single mothers is necessary.
Specifically refers to an unmarried mother. This term can carry a slightly dated or judgmental nuance, so use with caution. It is not a general term for all single mothers.
This term specifically means 'unmarried mother' and may not apply to divorced or widowed mothers. It can sound old-fashioned or stigmatizing.
彼女は未婚の母として出産した。
She gave birth as an unmarried mother.
To refer to a single mother in legal, administrative, or formal documents.
A gender-specific version of 'single parent'. 'ひとり親' means single parent, and adding 'の母親' specifies the mother. This is neutral and used in official contexts.
ひとり親の母親に対する手当が支給される。
Allowances are provided for single mothers.
Even in formal contexts, シングルマザー is increasingly accepted, though ひとり親の母親 may be preferred in very official documents.
シングルマザー支援制度について説明します。
I will explain the support system for single mothers.
To describe the action of a mother raising children alone, often used in narratives or explanations.
A common idiomatic phrase meaning 'to raise (a child) single-handedly as a woman'. It emphasizes the mother's effort and is often used in sympathetic or admiring contexts.
彼女は女手一つで三人の子供を育てた。
She raised three children all by herself.
A straightforward phrase meaning 'to raise a child alone'. It is neutral and can be used for any single parent, but context usually clarifies the gender.
彼女は一人で子供を育てている。
She is raising her child alone.
シングルマザー is a neutral, modern term for any mother raising children without a partner, regardless of marital history. 未婚の母 specifically means 'unmarried mother' and can imply the mother was never married. It may carry social stigma and is less commonly used in everyday speech.
シングルマザーとして頑張っている。
I'm doing my best as a single mother.
未婚の母として偏見に苦しんだ。
She suffered from prejudice as an unmarried mother.
母子家庭 (ぼしかてい) means 'fatherless household' and is a common term in social welfare contexts. To refer to the mother herself, you can say 母子家庭の母, but simply シングルマザー is more personal and direct.