Translation and Meaning of: 父 - chichi

The Japanese word 父[ちち] is a fundamental term for those learning the language or interested in Japanese culture. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, and usage in everyday life, as well as curiosities that help understand how the Japanese view this word. If you are looking for reliable information about 父[ちち], you have come to the right place – Suki Nihongo, the best online Japanese dictionary.

父[ちち] means "father" and is one of the most common ways to refer to a parent in Japanese. Unlike other languages, Japanese has variations for the same word depending on the context and level of formality. Here, we will uncover when and how to use 父[ちち], as well as delve into cultural details that make this word so special.

Meaning and origin of 父[ちち]

The word 父[ちち] has ancient roots in the Japanese language and is written with the kanji 父, which represents the paternal figure. This character is composed of strokes that symbolize strength and authority, reflecting the traditional role of the father in Japanese society. The reading ちち (chichi) is one of the most commonly used in daily life, while other readings, such as とう (tou), appear in different contexts.

Interestingly, 父[ちち] is a word that carries a more intimate and familiar tone. In contrast to お父さん[おとうさん] (otousan), which is more polite and common in everyday conversations, ちち is often used when referring to one's own father to others. This nuance is essential to avoid mistakes in social or professional situations.

Cultural and social use of 父[ちち]

In Japan, the relationship with the paternal figure has changed over the years, and the word 父[ちち] reflects part of this evolution. Traditionally, the father was seen as the provider and head of the family, but today many young people use more affectionate terms, such as パパ (papa), influenced by Western culture. Still, ちち retains its place in formal and written contexts.

An interesting fact is that in some regions of Japan, local dialects have variations of 父[ちち]. For example, in Okinawa, one might hear うふー (ufuu) instead of the standard form. These differences show how the Japanese language is rich and diverse, even in seemingly simple words.

Tips for memorizing 父[ちち]

If you are learning Japanese, an effective way to remember 父[ちち] is to associate the kanji 父 with a mental image. The character looks like a man holding a tool, which evokes the idea of a hardworking father. Another tip is to practice with sentences like "これは私の父です" (Kore wa watashi no chichi desu – "This is my father"), which help reinforce the correct usage.

Additionally, listening to music or watching Japanese movies where the word appears can be a natural way to absorb its meaning. Many family dramas, for example, use 父[ちち] in emotional scenes, which makes memorization easier through emotional context.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• お父さん (otousan) - Father (common, respectful term)
• 父親 (chichioya) - Father (more formal term)
• パパ (papa) - Dad (affectionate and informal term)
• 父上 (chichiue) - Father (a very respectful, archaic term)

父

Romaji: chichi
Kana: ちち
Type: noun
L: -

Translation / Meaning: dad

Meaning in English: father

Definition: Father: Father of male children.

Example Sentences - (父) chichi

See below some example sentences:

私の父親は助教授です。

Watashi no chichioya wa jokyōju desu

My father is a teacher's assistant.

My father is an assistant professor.

• 私 - The personal pronoun that means "I" in Japanese.
• の - possession particle in Japanese, which indicates that "father" is mine
• 父親 - noun meaning "father" in Japanese
• は - topic particle in Japanese, which indicates that what comes after is the subject of the sentence
• 助教授 - noun meaning "assistant teacher" in Japanese
• です - verb to be in Japanese, which indicates that the father is an assistant teacher

私の祖父は地主です。

Watashi no sofu wa jinushi desu

My grandfather is a landowner.

My grandfather is the landowner.

• 私 - The personal pronoun that means "I" in Japanese.
• の - particle that indicates possession or belonging
• 祖父 - noun meaning "grandfather" in Japanese
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 地主 - noun that means "landowner" in Japanese
• です - verb "to be" in Japanese, used to indicate a statement or a description

私の祖父は水田を所有しています。

Watashi no sofu wa suiden o shoyu shite imasu

My grandfather owns a rice field.

My grandfather owns Paddy Fields.

• 私 - The personal pronoun that means "I" in Japanese.
• の - particle that indicates possession or belonging
• 祖父 - noun meaning "grandfather" in Japanese
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "my grandfather"
• 水田 - The noun that means "rice field" in Japanese.
• を - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence, in this case, "has"
• 所有 - verb that means "to possess" in Japanese
• しています - expression that indicates continuous action in the present, in this case, "has"

私の父は公立病院の職員です。

Watashi no chichi wa kōritsu byōin no shokuin desu

My father is a team of public hospitals.

• 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の - particle that indicates possession or belonging
• 父 - noun that means "father"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 公立 - adjective that means "public"
• 病院 - The noun that means "hospital" is "hospital" in English.
• の - particle that indicates possession or belonging
• 職員 - noun that means "employee"
• です - verb that indicates to be or to stay, in the present tense and formal

私の父親はとても優しい人です。

Watashi no chichioya wa totemo yasashii hito desu

My father is a very kind person.

• 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の - particle that indicates possession, equivalent to "of"
• 父親 - noun that means "father"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, equivalent to "about"
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 優しい - adjective meaning "kind"
• 人 - noun that means "person"
• です - verb that indicates the state or condition, equivalent to "is"