おとうさん
otōsanaddress and polite
Dad in Japanese is おとうさん (otōsan) when you speak to your father or about someone else's. When talking about your own father to others, say ちち (chichi). Small children say ぱぱ (papa).
Meaning: father (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| おとうさん | otōsan | address and polite |
| ちち | chichi | my father to others |
| ぱぱ | papa | child, casual |
おとうさん (otōsan) is the standard word at home. Japanese families use it when addressing or referring to their father in a respectful way.
Which one should you use?
ちち (chichi) is used to outsiders, for example at work, to say "my father". It is not used to call to your father directly.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Some people use おとうちゃん (otōchan) or おやじ (oyaji), which sound more casual or old fashioned.
Did you know?
- The words for mother and father are おかあさん (okāsan) and おとうさん (otōsan).
Examples in context
- おとうさんは仕事に行きました。otōsan wa shigoto ni ikimashita.Dad went to work.
- ちちは医者です。chichi wa isha desu.My father is a doctor.
Example conversation
Kota talks with his Father at dinner.
- Kotaおとうさん、あした休み？otōsan, ashita yasumi?Dad, are you off tomorrow?
- Fatherそうだよ。sō da yo.Yes.
- Kotaやった！yatta!Yay!
