Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 爸爸 | bàba |
| 爸 | bà |
| 爹 | diē |
In Chinese, these terms are used to refer to a father. 爸爸 is the most common and standard way for children and adults to address their father in modern Mandarin.
Which one should you use?
爸爸 is the standard, most common form used in modern Mandarin. The shortened form 爸 is often used as a direct vocative when calling out to one's father, similar to 'Dad!' in English. The term 爹 is an archaic or literary way to say father, often seen in historical dramas or period literature.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a very casual and affectionate way to say 'dad', you can use 老爸. The most appropriate term for dad in formal situations or showing respect is 父亲. 爸 is a common informal and casual way to say 'dad' in Mandarin Chinese.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the reduplicated form 爸爸, the second syllable is typically pronounced with a neutral tone.
How do you pronounce it?
bàba
Did you know?
- The character 爹 may have linguistic roots that connect it to the word for 'father' in Turkic languages, such as the word 'ata'.
- Adding 老 to the front of 爸 to create 老爸 literally means 'old dad', but it is used as a term of endearment rather than a comment on age.
- The term 爹 is so strongly associated with historical eras that using it in a modern setting might make you sound like a character from a period drama or a martial arts novel.
Examples in context
- 爸爸去哪了?Where did dad go?This sentence is useful for asking about the whereabouts of 爸爸.Tatoeba #3147854 by cienias, translation #318877 by minshirui
- 你爸爸在哪？Where is your dad?This sentence is useful for asking where someone's 爸爸 is.Tatoeba #13189733 by LeviHighway, translation #13189643 by ecorralest101
- 爸，你干啥呢？What are you doing, Dad?This sentence is useful for using 爸 as a direct way to address one's father.Tatoeba #4265109 by notabene, translation #64110 by CK
- 我的父亲是我的榜样。My dad is my role model.
- 爸爸，您辛苦了。Dad, you've worked hard.
- 爸，我想和你聊聊。Dad, I want to talk to you.
- 老爸，你真了不起！Dad, you're amazing!
- 爸爸，我爱你Dad, I love you!
- 68 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Haoran and Xiaowen are talking about their family.
- 浩然 Haoran你爸爸最近身体好吗？Nǐ bàba zuìjìn shēntǐ hǎo ma?Is your dad feeling well lately?
- 晓雯 Xiaowen他身体挺好的。Tā shēntǐ tǐng hǎo de.He is doing quite well.
- 浩然 Haoran我也想我爸爸了。Wǒ yě xiǎng wǒ bàba le.I miss my dad too.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen那你下次回去看他吧。Nà nǐ xià cì huíqù kàn tā ba.Then you should go visit him next time.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dad” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 爸, 爹, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
