義理(ぎり)の親(おや)

ぎりのおや
noun
parent-in-law, stepparent
1. parent-in-law
A spouse's parent — either the father-in-law or mother-in-law.
義理(ぎり)の親(おや)に挨拶(あいさつ)した。
I greeted my in-laws.
義理(ぎり)の親(おや)との関係(かんけい)に悩(なや)んでいる。
I'm struggling with my relationship with my in-laws.
正月(しょうがつ)に義理(ぎり)の親(おや)の家(いえ)に行(い)くのは緊張(きんちょう)する。
Going to my in-laws' house for New Year's makes me nervous.
2. stepparent
A parent who is not biologically related but has a parental role through remarriage.
義理(ぎり)の親(おや)と仲(なか)がいい。
I get along well with my stepparent.
母(はは)が再婚(さいこん)して、義理(ぎり)の親(おや)ができた。
My mother remarried, and I got a stepparent.
義理(ぎり)の親(おや)を本当(ほんとう)の親(おや)のように慕(した)っている。
I look up to my stepparent as if they were my real parent.

WORD FORMATION:
義理(ぎり) (duty, obligation; in-law) + の (possessive) + 親(おや) (parent)

The 義理(ぎり)の～ pattern is used to form many in-law and step-family terms:

  • 義理(ぎり)の父(ちち): father-in-law / stepfather
  • 義理(ぎり)の母(はは): mother-in-law / stepmother
  • 義理(ぎり)の兄弟(きょうだい): siblings-in-law / stepsiblings
  • 義理(ぎり)の息子(むすこ): son-in-law
  • 義理(ぎり)の娘(むすめ): daughter-in-law

FORMAL EQUIVALENTS:

  • 義父(ぎふ): father-in-law (formal)
  • 義母(ぎぼ): mother-in-law (formal)
  • 義両親(ぎりょうしん): parents-in-law (formal)

CULTURAL NOTE:
Relationships with 義理(ぎり)の親(おや) are a frequent topic in Japanese advice columns and online forums, especially regarding expectations during holidays and family gatherings.

general
Added 2026.2.9 13:11
10500/10693_girinooya