親(おや)

おや

noun

parent

1. parent, parents

One's father and/or mother.

親(おや)は元気(げんき)です。

My parents are well.

親(おや)の言(い)うことを聞(き)きなさい。

Listen to what your parents say.

親(おや)に電話(でんわ)をかけた。

I called my parents.

親(おや)に会(あ)いに田舎(いなか)に帰(かえ)った。

I went back to the countryside to see my parents.

親(おや)は子供(こども)のことをいつも心配(しんぱい)している。

Parents always worry about their children.

親(おや) means 'parent' (can refer to one or both parents).

Family terms

父(ちち)/母(はは): father/mother (humble, about own)
お父(とう)さん/お母(かあ)さん: father/mother (polite, about others)
両親(りょうしん): both parents (formal)

Common compounds

親(おや)子(こ): parent and child
親友(しんゆう): close friend
親(おや)会社(がいしゃ): parent company
親(おや)指(ゆび): thumb (parent finger)
親切(しんせつ): kindness

Note: 親(おや) is the generic/casual term. In formal contexts or when referring to someone else's parents, use ご両親(りょうしん).

Related Words

Related: 両親(りょうしん) (both parents (formal))

Related: 父(ちち) (father)

Related: 母(はは) (mother)

Related: 家族(かぞく) (family)

Compare: 父母(ふぼ) (parents)

basic

Added 2026.1.8 21:07 · Revised 2026.9.2 12:02

01000/01357_oya