育児（いくじ、ikuji）
- childcare

The Japanese word 育児, pronounced いくじ (ikuji), refers to the act of raising and caring for children. It encompasses all aspects of child-rearing, including feeding, bathing, clothing, nurturing, educating, and generally providing for a child's well-being and development. This includes the physical, emotional, and social needs of a child. 育児 is a comprehensive term that goes beyond just childcare; it embodies the broader process of shaping a child into a capable and well-adjusted individual. ⚫︎It’s about more than just keeping a child alive. ⚫︎It involves fostering their growth and development. ⚫︎It is a long-term commitment.

⚫︎育児は大変だけど、やりがいがある。 Translation: Child-rearing is hard work, but it's rewarding. ⚫︎夫は育児休暇を取得した。 Translation: My husband took childcare leave. ⚫︎彼女は育児と仕事を両立している。 Translation: She balances childcare and work.

育児 is used in formal and informal contexts. It's suitable for discussing the general topic of child-rearing, describing someone's actions related to raising children, or referring to related policies or programs. It is a common and widely understood term. You can use this word when talking to friends, family, colleagues, or in more formal settings.

育児 is typically written using the kanji 育 (iku - to raise, bring up) and 児 (ji - child). The hiragana pronunciation is いくじ. There are no other ways to write this word, and the okurigana is fixed.

There aren't many direct synonyms for 育児 that fully capture its meaning. However, words or phrases that relate to childcare or child-rearing include: ⚫︎子育て (kosodate) - raising children ⚫︎養育 (youiku) - nurturing, raising ⚫︎子どもの世話 (kodomo no sewa) - childcare; taking care of children ⚫︎世話 (sewa) - care ⚫︎養育 (youiku) - raising and education

There aren't direct antonyms for 育児 because it is a positive and encompassing activity. However, words and phrases related to the neglect or abandonment of children could be considered opposite: ⚫︎ネグレクト (negurekutoo) - neglect ⚫︎放棄 (houki) - abandonment ⚫︎放置 (houchi) - leaving unattended

新しいお母さんは、育児について多くのことを学んでいる。 ・Translation: The new mother is learning a lot about 育児. ・Explanation: This sentence illustrates how 育児 is used to describe the ongoing learning process related to raising a child.

育児は親としての喜びをもたらす。 ・Translation: Child-rearing brings joy as a parent. ・Explanation: This sentence emphasizes the positive aspects and emotional rewards associated with 育児.

The word 育児 is derived from the kanji 育, meaning "to raise" or "to nurture," and 児, meaning "child." Combining these characters directly conveys the essence of the word: the act of raising and caring for a child. The etymology is straightforward and reflects the core activity it represents.