继父

• Pinyin: jì fù
• Hanzi breakdown: 继 = 纟+ 㐄 (continuation/succession); 父 = pictograph of a hand holding a stick (father/paternal authority)

Meaning

Stepfather. The man who has married one's mother after her previous relationship ended and who is not one's biological father.

Discussed with sensitivity in Chinese society as blended families become more common. Legal responsibilities of stepparents towards stepchildren are defined in family law. Distinct from 养父 (adoptive father).

Examples

1. 她从小跟着继父长大，两人虽无血缘关系，却情同父女，感情十分深厚。 She grew up with her stepfather; though they aren’t related by blood, they are as close as father and daughter, with a very deep bond.
2. 法律明确规定，继父对未成年继子女负有相应的抚养和教育义务。 The law clearly states that a stepfather bears corresponding obligations to support and educate his minor stepchildren.
3. 他在接受采访时坦言，正是继父多年如一日的关爱与支持帮助他度过了人生中最艰难的时期。 In an interview, he admitted that it was his stepfather’s years of constant care and support that helped him through the hardest period of his life.

Usage Guide

Context: family, law, social work

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 研究表明，继父与继子女建立稳定关系的关键在于相互尊重和耐心磨合，而不是强求血缘般亲密。(Research shows that the key to a stable relationship between a stepfather and stepchildren is mutual respect and patient adjustment, not forcing blood-like closeness.)
• 在现行家庭法下，继父在条件满足时可依法承担抚养义务并享有监护权，其效力在特定情形下等同生父。(Under current family law, a stepfather may legally assume support obligations and guardianship rights when conditions are met, and in certain situations his legal effect is the same as that of a biological father.)

Don't Say

• 继父 vs 养父 — 继父 is a stepfather (mother remarried); 养父 is an adoptive father (child legally adopted). The two have distinct legal implications and must not be confused

Origin & History

继 (to follow/succeed, step-) + 父 (father)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal