父 Father

Meaning

Primary

Father

Alternative

My Father

Word Type

noun

Explanation

The kanji and the word are exactly the same. That means they both mean father.

父 is a formal and humble way to say "my father" when talking to others. By using the plain form and omitting respectful language toward your own dad, you actually sound more humble, which makes a polite impression on the person you're speaking to.

You wouldn't, however, use it when talking to your dad or when talking about someone else's dad — it would come off as too blunt for that!

Reading

ちち

Explanation

The reading for this word is the same as the one you learned when learning the kanji.

Context

Common Word Combinations

• 父に〜

  父にもらう

  to receive from my father

  父になる

  to become a father

  父にいう

  to tell my father

• 〜の父

  父の父

  my father's father

  天の父

  Heavenly Father

  母の父

  my mother's father

• 父の〜

  父のしごと

  my father's work

  父のすがた

  my father's figure

  父の友人

  my father's friends

Context Sentences

わたしの父は、ドイツ人です。

My father is German.

このネクタイは、父とおそろいなんです。

This tie matches my father's.

父はドラマーでした。

My father was a drummer.

Kanji Composition

1. 父

   ちち Father