助産師
josanshi[d͡ʑo̞sã̠ɰ̃ɕi]
The English word midwife is translated into Japanese as 助産師 (josanshi). Wiktionary also lists 助産婦 (josanpu) and 産婆 (sanba).
Meaning: person who assists women in childbirth (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 助産師 | josanshi | [d͡ʑo̞sã̠ɰ̃ɕi] (narrow) |
| 助産婦 | josanpu | [d͡ʑo̞sã̠mpɯ̟] (narrow) |
| 産婆 | sanba | [sã̠mba̠] (narrow) |
The term refers to a person who assists women in childbirth.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 助産師 is composed of 助 (assist), 産 (childbirth) and 師 (expert/professional).
Which one should you use?
助産師 is the standard, modern term for a licensed midwife professional. In contrast, 産婆 is an older, more traditional term that can sound dated or even slightly derogatory in a modern medical context. While 助産師 is gender-neutral, 助産婦 specifically emphasizes the female gender of the midwife.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
助産師 is the most appropriate and respectful term to use in a medical or professional setting.
How do you pronounce it?
josanshi
Did you know?
- The older term 産婆 uses the character 婆, which is also the character used for 'old woman' or 'hag'.
- While the term 助産師 is gender-neutral, the historical role of the midwife in Japan was almost exclusively filled by women, making the transition to a neutral term a modern legal shift.
- The character 師 in 助産師 is also used for 'teacher' 教師 and 'doctor' 医師, signaling that midwifery is viewed as a high-level professional mastery rather than just a service.
Examples in context
- メアリーは助産師です。Mary is a midwife.This sentence is useful for identifying someone's profession using the form 助産師.Tatoeba #11591832 by bunbuku, translation #5671859 by Hybrid
- 彼女は経験豊富な助産師です。Kanojo wa keiken houfu na josanshi desu.She is an experienced midwife.
- 助産師に相談してみましょう。Josanshi ni soudan shite mimashou.Let's try consulting a midwife.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A couple is discussing their birth plan.
- 陽葵 Himari自宅で出産したいから、助産師さんを探そう。jitaku de shussan shitai kara, josanshi-san o sagasou.I want to give birth at home, so let's look for a midwife.
- 大翔 Hirotoいい考えだね。誰かいい人を知っているかな。ii kangae da ne. dareka ii hito o shitte iru kana.That's a good idea. I wonder if we know anyone good.
- 陽葵 Himari友達が信頼できる助産師さんを紹介してくれるよ。tomodachi ga shinrai dekiru josanshi-san o shoukai shite kureru yo.A friend will introduce us to a trustworthy midwife.
- 大翔 Hirotoそれは助かるよ。お願いしてみよう。sore wa tasukaru yo. onegai shite miyou.That would be helpful. Let's ask them.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “midwife” translations and entries 助産師, 助産婦, 産婆, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
