How to Say "Adopted" in Japanese

養子

yōshi

The Japanese phrase for "adopted" is 養子 (yōshi).

養子 is used to refer to an adopted child, someone who has been taken legally as one's own child.

What does it mean word for word?

The word consists of the kanji 養, which means to raise or nurture and 子, which means child.

While 養子 refers to the adopted person, the term 養親 is used to refer to the adoptive parents.

To express the action of adopting someone, use the noun 養子 with the verb にする (to make/to turn into), forming the phrase 養子にする.

yōshi

In Japanese business culture, the muko-yōshi system is still used to appoint a successor for a company. A talented employee may be legally adopted by the owner to become the new head of the business.
Historically, Japan practiced muko-yōshi, where a family adopts an adult man to marry their daughter and carry on the family name. This ensures the household lineage continues even if the parents have no sons.
Unlike many Western cultures, the historical practice of yōshi was often used to maintain the 'ie' or house. The focus was on the survival of the family unit rather than just the welfare of an individual child.

私達は子供を養子にした。
We adopted a child.
This sentence demonstrates the use of 養子 in the context of a group adopting a child.
Tatoeba #151503 by bunbuku, translation #263053 by CK
彼はその孤児を養子にした。
He adopted the orphan.
This sentence shows how 養子 is used when describing the adoption of an orphan.
Tatoeba #112908 by bunbuku, translation #290768 by CK
ウィリアムズ夫妻は、両親が死んだ子供を養子にした。
Mr. and Mrs. Williams adopted a child whose parents were dead.
This sentence provides an example of using 養子 when describing a specific family's circumstances.
Tatoeba #228334 by bunbuku, translation #65690 by CP
彼は養子になりました。
He was adopted.
私は幼い頃に養子になったんです。
I was adopted when I was young.
5 more sentences on Tatoeba

Two friends are talking about a family history.

結衣 Yui

彼は養子だったの？
Kare wa yōshi datta no?
Was he adopted?
蓮 Ren

うん、彼は養子として育ったんだ。
Un, kare wa yōshi to shite sodatta nda.
Yes, he grew up as an adopted child.
結衣 Yui

そうだったんだね。
Sō datta nda ne.
I see.
蓮 Ren

結衣さんは知っていた？
Yui-san wa shitte ita?
Did you know that, Yui?

Sources

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