Chinese word

月子

Pronunciation

Pinyinyuè zi

Meaning

  • nounpostpartum confinement

Example

她在医院做月子，很安心。tā zài yī yuàn zuò yuè zi hěn ān xīn

She is staying in the hospital for postpartum confinement and feels very at ease.

Illustration for 月子 (postpartum confinement)

More examples

她选择去月子中心休养，家人很放心。tā xuǎn zé qù yuè zi zhōng xīn xiū yǎng jiā rén hěn fàng xīn

She chose to recover at a postpartum care center, and her family felt reassured.

Core concept

A supported transition from childbirth back to ordinary life, with rest, nourishment, and help caring for the baby.

Common phrases

  • 坐月子zuò yuè zi

    observe postpartum confinement

  • 做月子zuò yuè zi

    observe postpartum confinement

  • 月子中心yuè zi zhōng xīn

    postpartum care center

Similar words

产后护理chǎn hòu hù lǐ: Practical care and treatment that protect the mother and baby's health after childbirth.
产后恢复chǎn hòu huī fù: The process of regaining physical strength and normal body functions after childbirth.
产假chǎn jià: A legally provided break from work for childbirth.

Definition in Chinese

指女性在生育后为恢复体力并照顾母婴而进行的一段休养期，常包括卧床休息、调理饮食和接受护理，地点可在家中、医院或产后护理机构。zhǐ nǚ xìng zài shēng yù hòu wèi huī fù tǐ lì bìng zhào gù mǔ yīng ér jìn xíng de yí duàn xiū yǎng qī cháng bāo kuò wò chuáng xiū xī tiáo lǐ yǐn shí hé jiē shòu hù lǐ dì diǎn kě zài jiā zhōng yī yuàn huò chǎn hòu hù lǐ jī gòu

Word origin

The word 月子 (yuèzi, "postpartum confinement") is formed from 月 (yuè, "month") + 子 (zi, "noun-forming element"), linking the traditional approximate month after birth to a named period of care.

Usage tips

  • The word does not by itself set one exact number of days or one location, so it can cover care at home, in a hospital, or in a specialist facility.

Other meanings

  • postpartum carenoun
  • postpartum periodnoun

Opposites

  • 孕期yùn qīpregnancynoun

Related words

  • 月子中心yuè zi zhōng xīnpostpartum care centernoun
  • 月子餐yuè zi cānpostpartum mealnoun

Word lists with this word