育児する

§ What 育児する Means

Japanese Word

育児する (いくじする)

Meaning

To raise children, to childcare.

CEFR Level

B1

The verb 育児する (ikuji suru) is a compound verb that literally means 'to do childcare' or 'to raise children'. It's formed from the noun 育児 (ikuji), meaning 'childcare' or 'child-rearing', and the verb する (suru), meaning 'to do'. This is a very common pattern in Japanese for creating verbs from nouns. When you see a noun followed by する, it often means 'to do [noun]'.

You'll use 育児する when you want to talk about the act of raising children, taking care of them, or fulfilling parental duties. It covers everything from feeding and changing diapers to educating and nurturing a child's growth. It's a broad term that encompasses all aspects of child-rearing.

§ When to Use It

You will encounter and use 育児する in many contexts related to family life, work-life balance, and social discussions about parenting. Here are some common situations:

• When talking about parents actively raising their children.
• When discussing policies or support for parents.
• When referring to the daily tasks and responsibilities of caring for children.
• When differentiating between who primarily handles childcare in a household.

Let's look at some examples to make this clearer:

Hint: She balances work and childcare.

Hint: Recently, the number of families where men do childcare is increasing.

Hint: He took childcare leave to raise his child.

While 育児する specifically refers to raising children, it's good to know some related terms. For example, 子育て (kosodate) also means child-rearing, but it's more often used as a noun, whereas 育児する is the verb form. You might hear 子育てをする (kosodate o suru), which carries the same meaning as 育児する.

Consider the nuance: 育児する is a bit more formal and encompassing of the responsibilities, while 子育て might sometimes carry a slightly warmer, more experiential feel, though they are largely interchangeable in many contexts. However, as a verb, 育児する is the most direct way to say 'to raise children'.

Mastering 育児する will allow you to discuss important aspects of family life and social roles in Japanese with confidence. Pay attention to how it's used in different sentences to fully grasp its versatility.

§ What 育児する means

Let's break down 育児する (ikuji suru). This verb means 'to raise children' or 'to childcare.' It's a compound verb formed from 育児 (ikuji), which means 'child-rearing' or 'childcare,' and する (suru), meaning 'to do.' So, literally, it's 'to do child-rearing.'

This isn't a casual word you'd typically use for just babysitting for an hour. It implies the ongoing responsibility and act of raising children. Think of it as the broader, more encompassing term for parental duties.

§ Where you hear 育児する

You'll encounter 育児する in various contexts, especially when discussing family life, work-life balance, and societal roles.

§ In a work setting

In the workplace, particularly when talking about parental leave, flexible work arrangements, or support for working parents, 育児する comes up frequently. Companies and government policies often use this term.

§ In school and community discussions

At schools or in community discussions, when talking about parental involvement, educational support, or children's development, 育児する is relevant. You might hear it from teachers or community leaders.

§ In news and media

News articles, documentaries, and even dramas that cover social issues related to families, population decline, or gender roles often feature 育児する. It's a common term in discussions about modern Japanese society.

§ Related words and phrases

To give you a better understanding, here are some related terms:

• 育児 (ikuji): The noun form, 'child-rearing' or 'childcare.' You'll see this everywhere.

  彼の趣味は育児です。
  His hobby is child-rearing.

• 子育て (kosodate): Also means 'child-rearing,' but often feels a bit more colloquial or emotionally charged than 育児. Both are very common.

  彼女は子育てに専念しています。
  She is dedicated to raising her children.

• 保育する (hoiku suru): To nurse, to take care of (children), especially in a professional setting like a daycare.

  保育士は子供たちを保育するのが仕事です。
  A childcare worker's job is to take care of children.

Understanding 育児する helps you grasp conversations about family life and social trends in Japan. Pay attention to how it's used in news articles and official statements to get a feel for its formal but practical usage.

§ Don't confuse it with just 'raising a child'

Many learners think 育児する (ikuji suru) is a direct equivalent of the English phrase 'to raise a child.' While it does involve raising children, 育児する specifically emphasizes the act of childcare, the daily tasks, and the upbringing involved. It's more about the active process of parenting rather than just the state of having children. For example, you wouldn't typically say 私は子供を育児する (watashi wa kodomo o ikuji suru) if you simply mean 'I have children' or 'I am a parent.' It implies you are actively engaged in their care.

§ Not always used for older children

While you can technically use 育児する for children of any age, it's most commonly associated with the care of infants, toddlers, and young children. As children get older and become more independent, you'll hear other verbs like 育てる (sodateru - to raise, to grow) more frequently. 育てる has a broader meaning, encompassing not just physical care but also emotional and intellectual development over a longer period.

Here, 育てる is more natural because it suggests raising them over time, not just the daily childcare tasks.

§ Overusing 'suru' verbs

While 育児する is a legitimate verb, remember that many nouns can be turned into verbs by adding する (suru). It's a common pattern. However, sometimes there are more specific or natural-sounding verbs available. For 'raising children' in a general sense, 育てる (sodateru) is often a better choice. 育児する specifically highlights the 'childcare' aspect. Don't feel like every noun ending in -児 (ji) or -育 (iku) automatically needs する.

DEFINITION

育児 (ikuji): noun meaning childcare, upbringing.

So, when you say 育児する, you're literally saying 'to do childcare.' Keep this in mind for clarity.

§ Incorrect particles

When referring to the *object* of childcare (i.e., the children), you'll often see it used with the particle を (o) when constructing phrases, but 育児する itself acts as an intransitive verb in a sense when describing the act of performing childcare. If you want to say 'I childcare *my* children,' you might encounter constructions that can be tricky. However, it's more common to talk about 育児 (childcare) as an activity one *does*.

Here, 育児する is used generally. If you want to specify *whose* children, you'd usually use a possessive: 私の子供の育児 (watashi no kodomo no ikuji - my children's childcare).

§ Misunderstanding the nuance of 'responsibility'

育児する carries a sense of responsibility and dedication to the children's daily care and upbringing. It's not a casual term. When someone says they are 育児している (ikuji shite iru), it implies they are actively fulfilling the duties and demands of parenting. It conveys a deeper commitment than just 'having kids.'

• Don't use it lightly if you're not actually involved in the direct, daily care.
• It's a verb that speaks to the effort and time invested.

By understanding these common pitfalls, you can use 育児する more accurately and naturally in your Japanese conversations and writing. Focus on its core meaning of active childcare, and you'll be on the right track.

§ Understanding 育児する (iku-ji suru)

You've learned 育児する, which means 'to raise children' or 'to do childcare.' It's a very direct and common way to talk about the act of raising kids. But Japanese, like any language, has different nuances. Let's look at how 育児する fits in with other related words.

DEFINITION

To raise children, to childcare.

The key part of 育児する is 育児 (iku-ji), which is the noun for 'child-rearing' or 'childcare.' Adding する (suru), the verb 'to do,' makes it 'to do child-rearing.' Simple, right?

§ 育てる (sodateru): More General Raising

While 育児する specifically focuses on the tasks of child-rearing, 育てる (sodateru) is a broader verb meaning 'to raise,' 'to bring up,' or 'to cultivate.' It can apply to children, but also to plants, animals, or even skills.

WHEN TO USE IT

Use 育てる when you want to talk about raising something in a general sense, or emphasizing the growth and development aspect.

§ 子育てする (ko-sodate suru): Another Child-Raising Option

子育てする (ko-sodate suru) is very similar to 育児する. 子育て (ko-sodate) literally means 'child-raising' (子 'child' + 育てる 'to raise').

SIMILARITY

Both 育児する and 子育てする are used to mean 'to raise children' or 'to do childcare.'

Is there a difference? Sometimes, 子育てする can feel a bit more natural and slightly softer or more common in everyday conversation than 育児する, especially when talking about the general experience of raising children.

• 育児する: Often used in slightly more formal contexts, or when discussing the *duties* and *responsibilities* of childcare. You might see it in news articles about childcare policy or in official documents.
• 子育てする: Very common in daily conversation, blog posts, or when discussing the *experience* of raising children, including the joys and challenges.

§ Look at the Nouns: 育児 (iku-ji) vs. 子育て (ko-sodate)

The nouns themselves have similar distinctions:

• 育児 (iku-ji): Often seen in a more administrative or systematic context. Think 'childcare leave' (育児休暇 - iku-ji kyūka) or 'childcare support' (育児支援 - iku-ji shien). It implies the structured activities and support systems around raising children.
• 子育て (ko-sodate): More about the personal, day-to-day experience. You'll hear 'child-raising struggles' (子育ての悩み - kosodate no nayami) or 'child-raising diary' (子育て日記 - kosodate nikki). It encompasses the emotional and practical aspects of being a parent.

§ Summary of Usage

To recap:

• 育児する: To raise children, to do childcare. Focuses on the tasks and responsibilities.
• 子育てする: To raise children, to do childcare. Focuses on the experience and general act of raising. Often more conversational.
• 育てる: To raise, to bring up, to cultivate. A broader term not limited to humans.

Don't overthink it too much! As you encounter these words in real Japanese, you'll naturally get a feel for their subtle differences. For now, know that 育児する is a solid, direct way to say 'to raise children.'