“Father” in Japanese is 父 (ちち), pronounced chichi.
Pronunciation
The word has 2 beats (morae), each about the same length. Tap a syllable to hear it, or play the whole word:
How to use it
父 is your own father in conversation with others; お父さん (otōsan) is someone else’s father or how you address your own. Children also say パパ.
Example sentences
- 父は会社員です。ちちはかいしゃいんです。My father is an office worker.
- お父さんは何歳ですか。おとうさんはなんさいですか。How old is your father?
Related forms
| Meaning | Japanese | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| polite / addressing | お父さん | おとうさん otōsan |
Quick practice
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Related words: Family & people
兄older brother姉older sister弟younger brother妹younger sister家族family両親parents祖母grandmother祖父grandfather
FAQ
How do you say father in Japanese?
Father in Japanese is 父 (ちち), pronounced “chichi”.
How do you write father in Japanese?
It's written 父 with kanji, or ちち in hiragana. Both are read chichi.
Is 父 on the JLPT?
Yes. 父 (chichi) is a common word at JLPT N5 level, so it's worth learning early.