育休(いくきゅう)

いくきゅう
noun
childcare leave; parental leave
1. childcare leave; parental leave
leave from work to care for a child, typically in the first year after birth
育休(いくきゅう)を取(と)る予定(よてい)です。
I plan to take childcare leave.
男性(だんせい)の育休(いくきゅう)取得(しゅとく)が増(ふ)えている。
More men are taking childcare leave.
育休(いくきゅう)から復帰(ふっき)したばかりだ。
I just returned from childcare leave.

ABBREVIATED FORM:
育休(いくきゅう) is an abbreviation of 育児休業(いくじきゅうぎょう) (childcare leave).

IN JAPAN:

  • Legally available to both mothers and fathers
  • Typically up to 1 year (can be extended to 2 years in some cases)
  • Employees receive partial pay through employment insurance
  • Government is promoting increased uptake by fathers

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 育休(いくきゅう)を取(と)る - to take childcare leave
  • 育休(いくきゅう)取得(しゅとく) - taking childcare leave
  • 育休(いくきゅう)から復帰(ふっき)する - to return from childcare leave
  • 育休(いくきゅう)明(あ)け - after returning from childcare leave

GENDER CONTEXT:
男性(だんせい)育休(いくきゅう) (paternity leave) is increasingly encouraged in Japan but uptake rates remain low compared to other countries.

RELATED:

  • 産休(さんきゅう) - maternity leave
  • 育児休業(いくじきゅうぎょう) - childcare leave (full term)
  • 介護休暇(かいごきゅうか) - nursing care leave
  • 時短(じたん)勤務(きんむ) - reduced work hours
general
Added 2026.1.27 20:29
08500/08565_ikukyuu