父

• Reading: ちち
• Romaji: chichi
• Kanji breakdown: 父 (chichi/fu) — father
• Pronunciation: /tɕi.tɕi/

Meaning

Father. The humble term used when referring to one's own father.

Used when speaking about your own father to others in polite or neutral contexts. This is the humble (謙譲語) form, as opposed to お父さん which is the honorific form used for someone else's father or when addressing your own father directly.

Examples

1. 父は会社員です。 My father is a company employee.
2. 父に手紙を書きました。 I wrote a letter to my father.
3. 私の父は料理が上手です。 My father is good at cooking.

Usage Guide

Context: self-introduction, talking about family, formal conversation

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

An ancient Japanese word. The kanji 父 depicts a hand holding an axe, symbolizing the patriarch who works to provide for the family.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal