産休(さんきゅう)

さんきゅう
noun
maternity leave
1. maternity leave
Leave from work granted to a woman before and after childbirth. In Japan, legally mandated as 6 weeks before the due date and 8 weeks after birth.
来月(らいげつ)から産休(さんきゅう)に入(はい)ります。
I'll be going on maternity leave starting next month.
産休(さんきゅう)から復帰(ふっき)したばかりです。
I just returned from maternity leave.
産休(さんきゅう)・育休(いくきゅう)を取(と)る社員(しゃいん)が増(ふ)えている。
More employees are taking maternity and parental leave.

ETYMOLOGY:
Abbreviation of 産前産後休業(さんぜんさんごきゅうぎょう) (pre- and post-natal leave).

産(さん) (childbirth) + 休(きゅう) (leave/rest)

COLLOCATIONS:

  • 産休(さんきゅう)に入(はい)る - to go on maternity leave
  • 産休(さんきゅう)を取(と)る - to take maternity leave
  • 産休(さんきゅう)から復帰(ふっき)する - to return from maternity leave
  • 産休(さんきゅう)・育休(いくきゅう) - maternity and parental leave (often paired)

LEGAL CONTEXT:

Under Japanese labor law, maternity leave (産前産後休業(さんぜんさんごきゅうぎょう)) consists of:

  • 産前(さんぜん)休業(きゅうぎょう): 6 weeks before due date (8 weeks for multiple births)
  • 産後(さんご)休業(きゅうぎょう): 8 weeks after birth (mandatory)

This is distinct from 育児休業(いくじきゅうぎょう) (parental leave), which can follow maternity leave.

Related Words

Related: 育児休暇(いくじきゅうか) (parental leave)
Related: 有給休暇(ゆうきゅうきゅうか) (paid vacation)
general
Added 2026.1.18 22:10 · Revised 2026.1.24 23:24
06500/06997_sankyuu