father
HSK level
父亲 is written with 13 strokes (父: 4, 亲: 9). The animation replays automatically.
父亲 (fùqīn) is the formal, respectful noun for 'father.'
It is the word you use in writing, in formal introductions (这是我父亲, 'this is my father'), and when referring to a father with dignity. The key contrast for English speakers is register, not meaning: English uses 'father' and 'dad' fairly interchangeably, but Chinese draws a sharp line — you address and talk to your own dad as 爸爸 (bàba) in daily life, while 父亲 is reserved for formal contexts, much like 'father' versus 'daddy' but stronger. You would rarely call out '父亲!'
to get your dad's attention; you'd say 爸. 父亲 can refer to anyone's father and pairs naturally with 母亲 (mǔqīn, mother). The character 父 alone is the ancient pictograph of a hand holding a tool, symbolizing the father as provider.
Note: 父亲 is the formal/written word for 'father.' In daily speech you call your own father 爸爸 (bàba) or 爸 (bà); 父亲 is used in writing, introductions, and respectful reference.
Character by character
Memory hook: 父 (father) + 亲 (kin) = your father as a close relative — the formal word for dad.
我的父亲是一名医生。
Wǒ de fùqīn shì yì míng yīshēng.
My father is a doctor.
neutral
父亲节快到了，我想送他一份礼物。
Fùqīn jié kuài dào le, wǒ xiǎng sòng tā yí fèn lǐwù.
Father's Day is coming, I want to give him a gift.
neutral
他从父亲那里学到了很多。
Tā cóng fùqīn nàlǐ xuédào le hěn duō.
He learned a lot from his father.
written
这是我的父亲，请多关照。
Zhè shì wǒ de fùqīn, qǐng duō guānzhào.
This is my father, please take good care of him.
formal
爸爸 is the everyday, warm, spoken word children and adults use to address and refer to their own father. 父亲 is formal and written. Use 爸爸 at home, 父亲 in a formal essay, speech, or introduction.
父 alone is a bound, classical morpheme (父子 father and son, 祖父 grandfather) and doesn't stand as an address term. 父亲 is the full standalone formal noun for 'father.'
夫 (fū) means 'husband / man' (丈夫 husband) and looks similar to 父 but has a flat top stroke. 父 = father; 夫 = husband. Different family role entirely.
父母 means 'parents' (both together). 父亲 is specifically the father alone. Don't use 父亲 when you mean both parents.
Acquire it by listening
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