産休(さんきゅう)

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)

Common 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.