Translation guide
A woman who carries and gives birth to a child for another person or couple. In Japanese, the term depends on the type of surrogacy and context.
Referring to a woman who carries a pregnancy for intended parents, regardless of genetic relationship.
The most common and neutral term for a surrogate mother. Used in legal, medical, and everyday contexts.
She became a surrogate mother for her friend.
A more descriptive phrase meaning 'a woman who does surrogate childbirth'. Used when clarifying the role.
There are strict conditions for women who act as surrogate mothers.
A surrogate who carries an embryo created from the intended parents' or donors' egg and sperm, so she is not genetically related to the child.
Borrowed from English 'host mother'. Commonly used in medical contexts to specify a gestational carrier.
The host mother gave birth to a child with no genetic connection to her.
Literally 'borrowed womb'. An older, somewhat crude term that can be considered insensitive. Avoid in formal or respectful contexts.
This term can be offensive; use with care or avoid altogether.
A surrogate who uses her own egg and is artificially inseminated, making her the genetic mother of the child.
Means 'genetic surrogate mother'. Used to distinguish from gestational surrogacy.
In the case of a genetic surrogate mother, the child inherits the surrogate's genes.
The direct translation 'サロゲートマザー' (sarogēto mazā) is understood but less common than 代理母. Using 代理母 is more natural in most contexts.
代理母 (dairi haha) is the standard, respectful term. 借り腹 (karibara) literally means 'borrowed belly' and can be seen as objectifying or derogatory. Use 代理母 unless you are discussing historical or very informal contexts.
The term 'borrowed womb' is not used much nowadays.