父母
fubo[ɸɯ̟bo̞]
The Japanese phrase for "mother father" is 父母 (fubo).
父母 is used as a formal term to refer to one's parents collectively.
Which one should you use?
While 父母 is a formal term used in written or legal contexts, the word 両親 is the much more common way to say 'parents' in everyday spoken Japanese. For specific references to a father, one might use お父さん in formal settings or 父 in informal contexts.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
父母 is a formal, written-style term often used in official documents or formal speeches. In contrast, when referring to a father specifically, お父さん is used in formal settings, while 父 is used in informal contexts.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some areas, people refer to their fathers as トーちゃん.
How do you pronounce it?
fubo
Did you know?
- In formal Japanese introductions, a person refers to their own parents using humble terms like 父 and 母, but will switch to the respectful お父さん and お母さん when talking about someone else's parents.
- The characters in 父母 are actually the same characters used for 'female' and 'male' in many contexts, making the phrase a literal representation of 'woman and man'.
- In ancient contexts and Classical Chinese, the term 父母 was sometimes used to refer to any elder or protector, not just biological parents.
Examples in context
- Tou-chan, ii oto desu ne! (トーちゃん、いい音ですね！)Father, that's a nice sound!
- 父母の健康を願っています。fubo no kenkou o negatte imasu.I am praying for the health of my parents.
- 父母の意見を大切にします。fubo no iken o taisetsu ni shimasu.I value the opinions of my parents.
- 父母の許可が必要です。fubo no kyoka ga hitsuyou desu.Permission from one's parents is necessary.
Example conversation
Two students are talking about their family backgrounds.
- 大翔 Hiroto陽葵さんは、父母と一緒に住んでいますか？Himari-san wa, fubo to issho ni sunde imasu ka?Himari, do you live with your parents?
- 陽葵 Himariはい、父母と住んでいます。Hai, fubo to sunde imasu.Yes, I live with my parents.
- 大翔 Hirotoそうなんですね。仲が良いですね。Sō nan desu ne. Naka ga yoi desu ne.I see. You get along well.
- 陽葵 Himariありがとうございます。Arigatō gozaimasu.Thank you.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 父母, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
