Translation guide
The process of gradually introducing a baby or young animal to food other than its mother's milk, or the act of helping someone give up a habit or dependency.
The process of transitioning a baby from milk to solid foods.
The standard term for weaning a baby from breast milk or formula to solid foods. Used in parenting and medical contexts.
The time to start weaning foods differs for each baby.
Literally 'graduation from milk'. A softer, more positive term often used by mothers to refer to the end of breastfeeding, emphasizing a natural milestone rather than a forced process.
We stopped breastfeeding at one year old.
A straightforward phrase meaning 'to stop breastfeeding'. Common in everyday conversation.
I'm thinking about weaning soon.
The process of transitioning a young animal from its mother's milk to solid food.
Same term as for human babies, also used for animals. Context makes the subject clear.
Weaning puppies starts around four weeks after birth.
Causative form meaning 'to make (an animal) leave the milk'. Used when the caretaker actively weans the animal.
The mother cat weans her kittens.
Gradually stopping a habit, addiction, or reliance on something.
Means 'to make someone gradually stop'. Used for habits like thumb-sucking, pacifier use, or screen time.
Weaning a child off a pacifier is tough.
A formal expression meaning 'to break free from dependence'. Used in contexts like addiction or psychological dependency.
離乳 is the general medical/parenting term for introducing solid foods and reducing milk. 卒乳 is a more emotional, mother-centric term celebrating the end of breastfeeding as a graduation. Use 離乳 in formal or instructional contexts, and 卒乳 in personal stories or supportive communities.
離乳 specifically refers to milk weaning. For weaning off habits like pacifiers or thumb-sucking, use phrases like やめさせる or 卒業させる (e.g., おしゃぶりを卒業する).
Weaning can be a challenging time for both mother and baby.
The vet advised us on how to wean the kittens.
A program to wean patients off drug dependence.