Japanese Conversation · Level 105
60 words
Japanese word
保育園
Pronunciation
Romajihoikuen
Meaning
- nounday care center
Example
子どもは保育園に行きます。ko do mo wa ho iku en ni i ki ma su
The child goes to a day care center.
More examples
今日は父が子どもを保育園へ送ります。kyō wa chichi ga ko do mo o ho iku en e oku ri ma su
Today, my father will take the child to day care.
Core concept
The word centers on a facility where young children receive care and spend the day while their guardians work or handle other duties.
Common phrases
保育園に預けるho iku en ni azu ke ru
leave someone at a day care center
保育園へ送るho iku en e oku ru
take someone to day care
保育園から帰るho iku en ka ra kae ru
come home from day care
Similar words
保育所hoikusho: A formal term for a facility that cares for young children on a regular daytime basis.
託児所takujisho: A facility that cares for children for a limited time while their guardians are elsewhere.
Definition in Japanese
保護者が働くなどの間、乳幼児を預かって生活の世話や成長の助けをする施設。ho go sha ga hatara ku na do no aida nyū yō ji o azu ka tte sei katsu no se wa ya sei chō no tasu ke o su ru shi setsu
Word origin
The Sino-Japanese compound 保育園 (hoikuen) combines 保育 (hoiku, "childcare") and 園 (en, "garden or institution"); 保育 combines 保 (ho, "protect") and 育 (iku, "raise").
Usage tips
- English speakers can use daycare for either the childcare service or the place providing it, so day care center emphasizes the facility itself.