Expressing feelings of love and gratitude towards your parents is important in any language, and Japanese is no exception. In this guide, we will explore how to say “I love you, mom and dad” in both formal and informal ways in Japanese. While there are regional variations, we will focus on the standard expressions that are widely understood throughout Japan.
Table of Contents
Formal Expressions:
When addressing your parents in a formal manner, the following expressions can be used:
- お母さん、お父さん、愛しています。 (Okaasan, otousan, aishiteimasu.)
This expression is polite and appropriate for formal situations. It directly translates to “Mom, Dad, I love you.” The term “さま” (sama) can be added to further show respect, for example, “お母様、お父様、愛しています。” (Okaasama, otousama, aishiteimasu.) - お母さん、お父さん、大好きです。 (Okaasan, otousan, daisuki desu.)
This phrase also expresses love and is commonly used in formal settings. It means “Mom, Dad, I really like you.” It’s a slightly more indirect way to express love, which can be suitable for certain situations. - ご両親、心から愛しています。 (Goryoushin, kokoro kara aishiteimasu.)
If you wish to address both of your parents at once, this phrase can be used. It means “Parents, I love you from the bottom of my heart.” It is a respectful and heartfelt expression.
Informal Expressions:
When speaking casually to your parents, you can use the following expressions:
- お母さん、お父さん、愛してるよ。 (Okaasan, otousan, aishiteru yo.)
This expression conveys love in an informal way. It means “Mom, Dad, I love you.” The addition of “よ” (yo) adds emphasis and a sense of closeness. - お母さん、お父さん、好きだよ。 (Okaasan, otousan, suki da yo.)
This phrase is a casual and direct way to express love. It means “Mom, Dad, I like you.” In an intimate setting, it can still convey deep affection. - ママ、パパ、愛してるよ。 (Mama, papa, aishiteru yo.)
Using the English loanwords “ママ” (mama) for “mom” and “パパ” (papa) for “dad” has become increasingly common in casual conversations. This expression carries the same meaning as the previous ones.
Examples:
Let’s look at some example sentences to better understand these expressions:
Example 1: お母さん、お父さん、愛しています。いつもありがとう。
(Okaasan, otousan, aishiteimasu. Itsumo arigatou.)
Mom, Dad, I love you. Thank you for everything.
Example 2: お母さん、お父さん、好きだよ。最高の両親だね。
(Okaasan, otousan, suki da yo. Saikou no ryoushin da ne.)
Mom, Dad, I like you. You are the best parents.
Example 3: ご両親、心から愛しています。いつまでも幸せでいてください。
(Goryoushin, kokoro kara aishiteimasu. Itsumade mo shiawase de ite kudasai.)
Parents, I love you from the bottom of my heart. Please be happy forever.
Regional Variations:
While the expressions provided are understood throughout Japan, there are some regional variations in how people address their parents. For example:
- In the Kansai region, “お袋” (o-fukuro) and “おとん” (oton) are sometimes used instead of “お母さん” (okaasan) and “お父さん” (otousan) respectively.
- In the Tohoku region, “かあさん” (kaasan) and “とうさん” (tousan) are commonly used as casual terms for mom and dad.
- However, when expressing love and gratitude, the formal and informal expressions mentioned earlier can be universally applied.
Remember, the most important part is the genuine sentiment you want to convey to your parents, regardless of the specific words you choose to use.
Now armed with an understanding of how to express your love to your mom and dad in Japanese, you can comfortably communicate your feelings in a meaningful way. Cherish your parents and let them know how much you appreciate them!
