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生みの親 (uminooya) Japanese meaning: biological parent | Kotomora

生うみの親おや

う

み

の

お

や

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Common word›Freq.FrequencyTop 50,000

Meanings

1

expression, noun

biological parent

Refers to one's birth parent, as opposed to an adoptive or foster parent. Often used in contrast with 育ての親.

彼かれは生うみの親おやを探さがしている。

He is searching for his biological parents.

2

expression, noun

founder; creator; originator

Figurative use for the person who originally created or established something, such as an organization, product, or idea.

彼かれはこの会かい社しゃの生うみの親おやだ。
He is the founder of this company.

Kanji

生life, genuine, birth
親parent, intimacy, relative
産products, bear, give birth

Related words

実じつの親おや sense 1
実の親 is a more everyday, informal way to say 'biological parent' compared to the slightly more literary 生みの親.
創そう始し者しゃ sense 2
創始者 is a formal noun for the founder of an organization or movement, while 生みの親 is a more figurative, warmer expression for the same idea.
発はつ案あん者しゃ sense 2
発案者 specifically means the person who first proposed an idea or plan, whereas 生みの親 can also apply to the creator of a tangible product or work.

Opposites

育そだての親おや sense 1
育ての親 is the parent who raised the child, in direct contrast to 生みの親, the biological parent.

Built from

産うむ+親おや

Written forms

生うみの親おやUsage91%
Standard kanji spelling; 生み emphasizes giving birth or bringing into existence.
産うみの親おやUsage9%
Alternate kanji; 産み focuses on physical childbirth. Less common than 生みの親.

Etymology

Compound of 生み (umi, 'giving birth, producing') + の (no, possessive particle) + 親 (oya, 'parent'). Literally 'parent of birth/creation'.