How to say "reproduction" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 複製ふくせいnoun, suru verb, transitive verbReproduction as making a copy or duplicate of an original — an artwork, a document, data — with the emphasis on faithful duplication; also covers reprinting.
- 生殖せいしょくsuru verb, intransitive verb, no-adjectiveThe word for biological reproduction: the process by which organisms produce offspring. It appears in biological and medical contexts and is not used for copying things.
- 繁殖はんしょくnoun, suru verb, intransitive verbReproduction viewed as breeding and multiplication: animals breeding or being bred, plants propagating. The nuance is increasing in number, so it suits talk of breeding programs and population growth.
- 複写ふくしゃnoun, suru verb, transitive verbCopying or duplication, typically of documents, pictures, or other material by reproducing them; think of photocopying. For "reproduction" it is best when the act of copying is in focus.
- 再生産さいせいさんnoun, suru verb, transitive verbReproduction in the sense of producing something again, especially capital or goods in economic contexts; it is not used for biological reproduction or for making copies.
For copies of artworks or documents choose 複製 or 複写, with 複写 stressing the act of copying; use 生殖 for biological reproduction, 繁殖 for breeding and propagation, and 再生産 for economic reproduction.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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