1.
unfilial conduct; disobedience to parents
Behavior that causes worry, shame, or grief to one's parents; being a bad son or daughter.
親不孝なことをした。
I did something unfilial.
親に心配ばかりかけて、親不孝だと思う。
I think I'm being unfilial, always making my parents worry.
親より先に死ぬのは最大の親不孝だと言われる。
It is said that dying before one's parents is the greatest act of unfilial piety.
2.
unfilial child; ungrateful child
A person who causes their parents distress or fails to show proper respect and care.
親不孝な息子だ。
He is an unfilial son.
あの子は親不孝もので、連絡もしない。
That child is ungrateful — doesn't even contact their parents.
親不孝な娘だったけれど、やっと親孝行ができるようになった。
I was an unfilial daughter, but I've finally become able to show my parents proper devotion.
親不孝 is the opposite of 親孝行 (filial piety). It is composed of 親 (parent) + 不孝 (lack of filial piety). The concept is rooted in Confucian values that emphasize respect and devotion to one's parents.
USAGE:
Can function as a noun or as a na-adjective: 親不孝な子 (an unfilial child).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 親不孝な子: an unfilial child
- 親不孝をする: act in an unfilial way
- 親不孝もの: ungrateful child (somewhat stronger)
- 親不孝通り: a street associated with nightlife (named because children spending time there worry their parents)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 親孝行: filial piety — the antonym; showing devotion and care for one's parents
- 不孝: unfilial — more formal and literary; not limited to parent-child relationships
Related Words
Antonym:
親孝行 (filial piety)