Translation guide
The husband of one's daughter. Japanese has distinct terms depending on whose son-in-law is being referred to, and the choice reflects social perspective and politeness.
Referring to the husband of your own daughter when speaking to someone outside your family.
Standard humble term for one's own son-in-law. Used when talking about him to non-family members.
My son-in-law is a banker.
A shorter, common term for son-in-law, often used within the family or in casual contexts. Can also mean 'bridegroom' in other contexts.
Our son-in-law is good at cooking.
Referring to the husband of someone else's daughter, or when speaking politely about a son-in-law.
Describing the relationship without specifying whose perspective, or in formal writing.
A man who marries into a family and is adopted as the family's son, often to carry on the family name or business.
A son-in-law who is legally adopted into the wife's family. Common in traditional family businesses.
He took over the family business as an adopted son-in-law.
English 'son-in-law' is a single term, but Japanese requires you to choose based on social context. Using 'musuko' (son) is incorrect; always use a term that specifies the marriage relationship.
When talking about your own son-in-law to outsiders, use humble terms like 'musumemuko' or 'muko'. When referring to someone else's son-in-law, add polite prefixes like 'o-' or '-san'.
My son-in-law is on a business trip now.
How is your son-in-law?
He is known as the son-in-law of that company's founder.