父母

• Pinyin: fù mǔ
• Hanzi breakdown: 父 = pictograph of a hand holding a stick, representing a father figure; 母 = pictograph of a woman with breasts, representing a mother

Meaning

Parents; father and mother. The formal term for one's parents.

More formal than 爸妈, commonly used in written language, official contexts, and when speaking respectfully. Can refer to parents in general or one's own parents. Very common in discussions about family, education, and filial piety.

Examples

1. 父母的健康是孩子最大的心愿。 The health of parents is a child's greatest wish.
2. 他每个周末都回家看望父母。 He goes home every weekend to visit his parents.
3. 父母总是希望自己的孩子能过得好。 Parents always hope their children can live well.

Usage Guide

Context: family, official, education

Tone: respectful

Do Say

• 我非常感谢父母对我的支持。(I am very grateful for my parents' support.)
• 父母对孩子的影响很大。(Parents have a great influence on their children.)

Don't Say

• 父母，我饿了 (Don't address your parents directly as 父母 — use 爸妈 or 爸爸妈妈 when speaking to them; 父母 is used when talking about them to others)

Origin & History

Compound of 父 (father) and 母 (mother), a straightforward combination meaning parents.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal