How to say "cradle" in Japanese

• ゆりかごCommon
  nounThe literal sense: a cradle as an actual small bed for a baby, one that rocks. This is the word for the physical object; it is usually written in kana alone.
  赤ん坊あかんぼうがゆりかごの中なかで眠ねむっている。↗

  A baby is sleeping in the cradle.
• 発祥地はっしょうちCommon
  nounThe figurative sense: the 'cradle of civilization' meaning, the place where something such as a culture or religion first arose. It is the natural choice when 'cradle' means 'birthplace'.
  中東ちゅうとうは文明ぶんめいの発祥地はっしょうちである。↗

  The Middle East is the cradle of civilization.
• 本場ほんばJLPT N1approx.Common
  no-adjectiveAlso figurative: the place where something originated and is done or made in its most authentic form, its true 'home'. Close to 発祥地, but with a stronger nuance of genuineness.
  日本にっぽんにあるインドカレー屋やのカレーって、やっぱり日本人にほんじんの口くちに合あわせて本場ほんばよりマイルドに作つくられてるよね。↗

  The curry they serve in Japan is milder than real Indian curry. They adapt it to Japanese tastes.

For the baby's bed, use 「ゆりかご」; for the figurative 'cradle of civilization', use 発祥地, which stresses where something first arose, or 本場, which stresses its authentic home.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• ゆりかごcradle
• 発祥地はっしょうちbirthplace (e.g. of jazz, Buddhism)
• 揺籃ようらんcradle
• クーハンcradle
• クレードルdocking station (for an electronic device)
• 発祥の地はっしょうのちbirthplace
• 本場ほんばplace of origin