Japanese word

陣痛

Pronunciation

Romajijintsū

Meaning

  • nouncontractions

Example

陣痛が始まりました。jin tsū ga haji ma ri ma shi ta

The contractions have started.

Illustration for 陣痛 (contractions)

More examples

陣痛が強くなると、呼吸をゆっくり整えます。jin tsū ga tsuyo ku na ru to ko kyū o yu kku ri totono e ma su

When the contractions grow stronger, I breathe slowly and steadily.

Core concept

Refers to the rhythmic tightening of the uterus that signals or advances childbirth.

Common phrases

  • 陣痛が来るjin tsū ga ku ru

    have contractions

  • 陣痛を感じるjin tsū o kan ji ru

    feel contractions

  • 陣痛が強まるjin tsū ga tsuyo ma ru

    contractions intensify

Definition in Japanese

分娩に伴って子宮が周期的に収縮するときに生じる痛み。bun ben ni tomona tte shi kyū ga shū ki teki ni shū shuku su ru to ki ni shō ji ru ita mi

Word origin

The Japanese compound 陣痛 (jintsū, "labor pains") combines 陣 (jin, "battle formation") and 痛 (tsū, "pain"); the reason for 陣 in this medical term is not certain.

Usage tips

  • In English, contractions can also mean shortened forms such as don't, while 陣痛 (jintsū, "labor pains") uses the word in the childbirth sense.

Other meanings

  • labor painsnoun

Word lists with this word