出産する

The Japanese verb 出産する (shussan suru) is a formal and respectful way to say 'to give birth' or 'to deliver a baby'. It's commonly used in contexts related to medical announcements, official reports, news articles, and discussions about pregnancy and childbirth in a somewhat formal setting. While it's understood by everyone, more casual or personal conversations might use simpler or more direct phrasing.

Formal Contexts

Hospitals, medical professionals, government announcements, news reports about demographic changes.

Nuance

It emphasizes the event of birth itself and often carries a sense of formality and seriousness. It's less about the personal experience of the mother and more about the factual occurrence.

When to Use

When discussing statistics, medical procedures, or making formal announcements regarding a birth. It is also used in written materials like official documents or health information pamphlets.

Etymology Hint

The kanji 出 (shussan) means 'to exit' or 'to come out', and 産 (san) means 'to give birth' or 'to produce'. Together, they literally mean 'to come out and give birth', referring to the baby emerging.

出産する (shussan suru) is a verb that typically takes a subject (who is giving birth) and sometimes an object (referring to the baby, though often implied). It functions as a regular verb in sentence construction, conjugating according to tense and politeness levels.

Basic Structure

Subject + は/が + 出産する (Verb Stem) + ます/しました/する予定です.

Examples

When talking about a future event: 妻は来月出産する予定です。(Tsuma wa raigetsu shussan suru yotei desu.) - My wife is scheduled to give birth next month.
When talking about a past event: 彼女は今年初めに元気な赤ちゃんを出産しました。(Kanojo wa kotoshi hajime ni genki na akachan o shussan shimashita.) - She gave birth to a healthy baby early this year.
In a more general statement: 出産は女性にとって大きな出来事です。(Shussan wa josei ni totte ookina dekigoto desu.) - Giving birth is a significant event for a woman.
Referring to a specific time: 彼女は去年の秋に出産しました。(Kanojo wa kyonen no aki ni shussan shimashita.) - She gave birth last autumn.
Mentioning the location: 彼女は都内の大学病院で出産しました。(Kanojo wa tonai no daigaku byouin de shussan shimashita.) - She gave birth at a university hospital in the city.
Describing the outcome: 無事に出産を終えました。(Buji ni shussan o oemashita.) - I have safely completed childbirth.
Discussing challenges: 出産には多くの準備が必要です。(Shussan ni wa ooku no junbi ga hitsuyou desu.) - Childbirth requires a lot of preparation.
Expressing congratulations: ご出産おめでとうございます。(Goshussan omedetou gozaimasu.) - Congratulations on your childbirth. (This uses the noun form 出産, but is a very common related expression.)
When the subject is implied or obvious: 出産後、体調を崩しました。(Shussan go, taichou o kuzushimashita.) - After giving birth, I fell ill.
Using it in a passive sense (though less common for the verb itself, more for the noun): 赤ちゃんが出産されました。(Akachan ga shussan saremashita.) - This phrasing is awkward; it's better to say 赤ちゃんが生まれました (akachan ga umaremashita - the baby was born).
Describing the process: 出産は痛みを伴うものです。(Shussan wa itami o tomonau mono desu.) - Childbirth is something that involves pain.
In a news report: 本日、皇族の方がご出産されました。(Honjitsu, kōzoku no kata ga goshussan saremashita.) - Today, a member of the Imperial family gave birth. (Uses honorifics).
Talking about the timing: 予定日より早く出産しました。(Yoteibi yori hayaku shussan shimashita.) - I gave birth earlier than the due date.
Emphasizing the effort: 母は私を出産するために大変な努力をしました。(Haha wa watashi o shussan suru tame ni taihen na doryoku o shimashita.) - My mother made great efforts to give birth to me.
About the health of the mother: 出産後、母体の回復が順調です。(Shussan go, botai no kaifuku ga junchou desu.) - After childbirth, the mother's recovery is progressing smoothly.
About the health of the baby: 元気な男の子を出産しました。(Genki na otoko no ko o shussan shimashita.) - I gave birth to a healthy baby boy.
Discussing the type of birth: 自然分娩で出産しました。(Shizen bunben de shussan shimashita.) - I gave birth naturally.
Considering a C-section: 緊急帝王切開で出産することになりました。(Kinkyuu teiou sekkai de shussan suru koto ni narimashita.) - It was decided that I would give birth via emergency Cesarean section.
When it's a significant life event: 人生における最も重要な出来事の一つが、出産です。(Jinsei ni okeru mottomo juuyou na dekigoto no hitotsu ga, shussan desu.) - One of the most important events in life is childbirth.
In a medical context: 医師は、出産が近づいていることを確認しました。(Ishi wa, shussan ga chikazuite iru koto o kakunin shimashita.) - The doctor confirmed that childbirth was approaching.
When someone else is giving birth: 友人Aさんが出産しました。(Yuujin A-san ga shussan shimashita.) - My friend A gave birth.
In a family context: 妹は二人目の子供を出産しました。(Imouto wa futarime no kodomo o shussan shimashita.) - My younger sister gave birth to her second child.
About preparation: 出産に備えて、入院の準備をしています。(Shussan ni sonaete, nyuuin no junbi o shite imasu.) - I am preparing for hospitalization in preparation for childbirth.
The verb can also be used with the noun 出産 (shussan) to form compound verbs or phrases:

Compound Examples

初出産 (hatsu shussan) - first childbirth. 初出産を経験しました。(Hatsu shussan o keiken shimashita.) - I experienced my first childbirth.
再出産 (sai shussan) - giving birth again. 彼女は再出産について考えています。(Kanojo wa sai shussan ni tsuite kangaete imasu.) - She is thinking about having another child.
安産 (anzan) - easy childbirth. 無事安産で何よりです。(Buji anzanshin de naniyori desu.) - It is most important that the childbirth was safe and easy. (Here 安産 is a noun).
難産 (nan'zan) - difficult childbirth. 彼女は難産だったと聞きました。(Kanojo wa nan'zan datta to kikimashita.) - I heard that her childbirth was difficult. (Here 難産 is a noun).
The verb form itself is straightforward and conjugates like other suru-verbs.

You'll encounter 出産する (shussan suru) most frequently in formal and official settings, reflecting its relatively formal tone. It's not typically the word you'd use when chatting with friends about a new baby, but it's essential for understanding public announcements and written materials related to birth.

News Reports

When reporting on births of public figures, royal families, or significant demographic trends. For example, a news anchor might say: 「本日、〇〇さんが無事に出産されました。」(Honjitsu, marumaru-san ga buji ni shussan saremashita.) - Today, Ms./Mr. [Name] safely gave birth.

Hospital Announcements

Hospitals often use this term in official statements or on their websites when announcing new arrivals or providing information about maternity services. You might see signs saying 「出産のご報告」 (Shussan no gohoukoku) - Report of Childbirth.

Government and Public Health

In statistics and reports concerning birth rates, maternal health, and population changes, 出産する (or the noun form 出産) is the standard term. For instance, a report might state: 「昨年の出生数は減少しました。」(Sakunen no shussei-suu wa genshou shimashita.) - The number of births decreased last year. (Here, 出生 - shussei - is a related noun meaning 'birth' or 'childbirth'.)

Formal Speeches and Ceremonies

During formal events related to family or community, such as congratulatory ceremonies for new parents in a company or local government. A speaker might say: 「この度のご出産、誠におめでとうございます。」(Konotabi no goshussan, makoto ni omedetou gozaimasu.) - Congratulations on your childbirth. (Again, using the noun form with honorifics).

Medical Textbooks and Articles

In academic or professional literature discussing obstetrics and gynecology, 出産する is the precise term used.

Official Documents

Birth certificates, family registries, and other legal paperwork will use the noun form 出産.

Family Conversations (Formal)

While less common for casual chats, if a family member is a doctor or nurse, or if the discussion is serious or retrospective, they might use it. For example, a grandmother recounting her experience might say: 「あの時、無事に出産できて本当に安心したわ。」(Ano toki, buji ni shussan dekite hontou ni anshin shita wa.) - I was truly relieved when I was able to give birth safely at that time.

Using 出産する (shussan suru) in the wrong context or misunderstanding its nuances can lead to awkwardness or a perception of being overly formal or even cold. Here are some common mistakes:

Using it in very casual conversation

Mistake: Telling your close friend, 「私の友達が出産しました！」(Watashi no tomodachi ga shussan shimashita!) as if you are announcing a major news event.
Correction: For casual conversations with friends, it's much more natural to say 「友達に赤ちゃんが生まれたんだ！」(Tomodachi ni akachan ga umareta n da!) - My friend had a baby! Or 「友達が子供を産んだよ。」(Tomodachi ga kodomo o unda yo.) - My friend had a child. Using 出産する can sound too stiff or like you're reporting for a newspaper.

Confusing it with the noun 産む (umu)

Mistake: Using 出産する when you mean the general act of giving birth, and instead using the noun 産む (umu) which is a more general verb for 'to bear' or 'to give birth to' (can be used for animals and abstract things too).
Correction: While 産む (umu) can be used for humans giving birth (e.g., 母が私を産んだ - Haha ga watashi o unda - My mother gave birth to me), 出産する specifically refers to the formal act of childbirth, often in a medical or societal context. If you want to say 'my mother gave birth to me', you'd say 母が私を生んだ (haha ga watashi o unda) or 母が私を産んだ (haha ga watashi o unda). Using 出産する here would sound very odd. However, if talking about a hospital's statistics, 出産する is appropriate.

Overuse in personal narratives

Mistake: Describing your personal childbirth experience using 出産する repeatedly. For example: 「私は病院で出産しました。そして、無事に出産を終えました。」(Watashi wa byouin de shussan shimashita. Soshite, buji ni shussan o oemashita.)
Correction: In personal stories, using 赤ちゃんが生まれた (akachan ga umareta) or simpler verbs like 生む (umu) or 産む (umu) is more natural. For example: 「病院で無事に出産を終えて、ほっとしました。」(Byouin de buji ni shussan o oete, hotto shimashita.) - I was relieved after safely finishing childbirth at the hospital. (Here, the noun form is used, which is more acceptable in personal reflection than the verb itself). Or more simply: 「赤ちゃんが生まれました。」(Akachan ga umaremashita.) - The baby was born.

Confusing it with related nouns

Mistake: Using 出産する when the context calls for the noun 出産 (shussan) itself, or related nouns like 出生 (shussei - birth rate/number of births).
Correction: Understand the difference between the verb 出産する and the noun 出産. For example, 「ご出産おめでとうございます。」(Goshussan omedetou gozaimasu) is a standard congratulatory phrase, using the noun with honorifics. You wouldn't say 「ご出産するおめでとうございます。」

Assuming it's the only way to talk about birth

Mistake: Thinking that 出産する is the only or primary verb for 'to give birth'.
Correction: Be aware of other verbs like 生む (umu) and 産む (umu), and phrases like 赤ちゃんが生まれる (akachan ga umareru - the baby is born), which are often more appropriate depending on the context and desired level of formality.

While 出産する (shussan suru) is a precise term for giving birth, especially in formal contexts, Japanese offers several other words and phrases to express this concept, each with its own nuance and level of formality.

産む (umu)

Usage: A more general verb meaning 'to give birth' or 'to bear'. It can be used for humans, animals, and even abstract concepts (e.g., 'to produce ideas'). It's often more personal and less formal than 出産する.
Example: 母が私を産んだ。(Haha ga watashi o unda.) - My mother gave birth to me.
Comparison: Less formal than 出産する, more versatile in application.

生む (umu)

Usage: Similar to 産む (umu), also meaning 'to give birth', 'to bear', or 'to produce'. Often interchangeable with 産む for human childbirth, but can also mean 'to create' or 'to give rise to'.
Example: 彼女は元気な男の子を生みました。(Kanojo wa genki na otoko no ko o umimashita.) - She gave birth to a healthy baby boy.
Comparison: Very similar to 産む, often used interchangeably for human birth. The nuance might lean slightly more towards the act of creation.

赤ちゃんが生まれる (akachan ga umareru)

Usage: A common, neutral, and often preferred phrase in everyday conversation. It literally means 'the baby is born'. It focuses on the baby's arrival.
Example: 来週、赤ちゃんが生まれる予定です。(Raishuu, akachan ga umareru yotei desu.) - The baby is scheduled to be born next week.
Comparison: Much more informal and conversational than 出産する. It's a very natural way to talk about a birth.

子供ができる (kodomo ga dekiru)

Usage: A more informal and indirect way to say 'to have a child' or 'to become pregnant and give birth'. It's often used when announcing a pregnancy or a new family member.
Example: うちに子供ができたんです。(Uchi ni kodomo ga dekita n desu.) - We're having a baby. / We had a child.
Comparison: Very informal and idiomatic. It implies the entire process from conception to birth.

出産 (shussan) - Noun

Usage: The noun form, meaning 'childbirth' or 'birth'. It's used in many set phrases, especially formal ones.
Example: ご出産おめでとうございます。(Goshussan omedetou gozaimasu.) - Congratulations on your childbirth.
Comparison: The verb 出産する is derived from this noun. This noun is extremely common in congratulatory phrases and formal announcements.

出生 (shussei) - Noun

Usage: Refers to the act of birth, particularly in the context of birth statistics, birth registration, and the moment of birth.
Example: 出生率が低下している。(Shussei-ritsu ga teika shite iru.) - The birth rate is declining.
Comparison: More statistical and demographic in focus than 出産.