お父さん、大好き
otousan, daisuki
The English phrase "hi dad, I love you" is expressed in Japanese as お父さん、大好き (otousan, daisuki).
This phrase is an affectionate expression used when speaking to one's father to convey love and fondness.
Which one should you use?
For a child or for a more casual expression of affection, 大好き (daisuki) is more natural.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form お父さん、大好き is standard for addressing a father. For a more colloquial or childish tone, one might use パパ、大好き (papa, daisuki) instead.
How do you pronounce it?
otousan, daisuki
Did you know?
- In many Japanese households, it is actually quite rare to say 'I love you' out loud. Affection is more often demonstrated through actions or subtle words like 大好き (daisuki) rather than the intense, dramatic declarations found in English.
- In Japanese, the word 大好き (daisuki) literally translates to 'big like' rather than 'love'. It is the most common way to express deep affection without the heavy, romantic weight that the formal word for love, 愛してる (aishiteru), carries.
- The word お父さん (otousan) can also be used to refer to someone else's father. When talking about your own father to a stranger, you would traditionally use a different, more humble term like 父 (chichi).
Examples in context
- 愛を込めてWith love.
- お父さん、大好きだよ、いつもありがとう。Otousan, daisuki da yo, itsumo arigatou.Dad, I love you, thank you for everything.
Example conversation
A daughter is hugging her father before he leaves for work.
- 陽葵 Himariお父さん、大好き！いってらっしゃい。Otōsan, daisuki! Itterasshai.Dad, I love you! Have a great day.
- 陽太 Yotaありがとう。パパも大好きだよ。Arigatō. Papa mo daisuki dayo.Thank you. Daddy loves you too.
- 陽葵 Himariお土産にケーキ買ってきてね。Omiyage ni kēki katte kite ne.Please buy some cake as a treat.
- 陽太 Yotaいいよ。また後でね。Ii yo. Mata ato de ne.Sure. See you later.
