Translation guide
The English word 'whelp' refers to a young dog, or more broadly, the young of certain carnivorous mammals. It can also be used as a verb meaning to give birth to pups. This guide covers how to express these concepts naturally in Japanese.
Referring to a young dog, especially one that is still nursing or very young.
The standard, neutral word for 'puppy'. Used in everyday conversation and writing.
あの子犬はとてもかわいい。
That puppy is very cute.
子犬がミルクを飲んでいる。
The puppy is drinking milk.
Literally 'dog's child', a slightly more colloquial or explanatory way to say puppy. Common in spoken Japanese.
犬の子が庭で遊んでいる。
A puppy is playing in the garden.
Referring to the young of wild canines, bears, or big cats, often translated as 'cub' or 'pup' in English.
A suffix meaning 'young of an animal'. Attach to the animal name. For example, 狼の子 (wolf pup), 熊の子 (bear cub).
狼の子が巣穴から出てきた。
The wolf pups came out of the den.
熊の子は母親の後ろをついて歩く。
Bear cubs follow their mother around.
A technical or formal term for 'young animal', used in zoological contexts. Not common in everyday speech.
The act of a dog or similar animal giving birth.
The most direct and common way to say 'to whelp' or 'give birth to puppies'. Used for dogs.
うちの犬が昨日子犬を産んだ。
Our dog whelped yesterday.
A general term for 'give birth', used for animals as well as humans. More formal than 産む.
その犬は無事に出産した。
The dog gave birth safely.
There is no single Japanese word that directly corresponds to 'whelp' in all its English uses. Always use context-appropriate terms like 子犬 for puppies or 子 as a suffix for other animals.
This zoo has an exhibit of young animals.