継父(ままちち)

Also read as けいふ in more formal contexts. The prefix まま～ (also written 継(まま)～) indicates a step-relationship, derived from an old Japanese word meaning 'not real.'

Common collocations

• 継父(ままちち)との関係(かんけい): relationship with one's stepfather
• 継父(ままちち)に育(そだ)てられる: to be raised by a stepfather

Related words

• 継母(ままはは): stepmother
• 義父(ぎふ): father-in-law; stepfather — more formal; also used for one's spouse's father
• 実父(じっぷ): biological father — used to distinguish from a stepfather
• 連(つ)れ子(こ): stepchild — a child brought into a new marriage

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The word 継父(ままちち) can feel somewhat direct or old-fashioned. In everyday conversation, people often use 義理(ぎり)の父(ちち) or 義父(ぎふ) instead.