How to say "father" in Japanese
"Father" in Japanese is 父 (chichi) when talking about your own father to others, and お父さん (otōsan) for someone else's father or when calling your own.
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Ways to say "father" in Japanese
| Japanese | When to use it |
|---|---|
| 父ちち · chichi | Father (your own, when talking to others). |
| お父さんおとうさん · otōsan | Father (someone else's, or calling your own). |
| 父親ちちおや · chichioya | Father (general). |
How to use it
Using 父 for your own father and お父さん for others' is expected in polite conversation and at work.
Father's Day is 父の日 (Chichi no Hi), the third Sunday in June.
Example sentences
- 父は銀行で働いています。Chichi wa ginkō de hataraite imasu.My father works at a bank.
- お父さんはお元気ですか。Otōsan wa o-genki desu ka.How is your father?
- 父の日にプレゼントを送りました。Chichi no hi ni purezento o okurimashita.I sent a present on Father's Day.
- 父親として子どもとの時間を大切にしています。Chichioya to shite kodomo to no jikan o taisetsu ni shite imasu.As a father, I value time with my kids.
- お父さん、ただいま。Otōsan, tadaima.Dad, I'm home.
- 父は来月日本に来ます。Chichi wa raigetsu Nihon ni kimasu.My father is coming to Japan next month.
Kanji in this word
Questions
When do you use 父 and when お父さん?
Use 父 (chichi) for your own father when speaking to others. Use お父さん (otōsan) for someone else's father or when talking directly to your own father.
How do you say "mother" in Japanese?
Mother is 母 (haha) for your own and お母さん (okāsan) for someone else's.
Executive Japanese by CCN is one-on-one online Japanese for managers and directors doing business in Japan.