親 不 孝(おやふこう)

おやふこう

noun, na-adjective

unfilial conduct; disobedience to parents

family

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(おやふこう)なことをした。

I did something unfilial.

親(おや)に心配(しんぱい)ばかりかけて、親不孝(おやふこう)だと思(おも)う。

I think I'm being unfilial, always making my parents worry.

親(おや)より先(さき)に死(し)ぬのは最大(さいだい)の親不孝(おやふこう)だと言(い)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(おやふこう)な息子(むすこ)だ。

He is an unfilial son.

あの子(こ)は親不孝(おやふこう)もので、連絡(れんらく)もしない。

That child is ungrateful — doesn't even contact their parents.

親不孝(おやふこう)な娘(むすめ)だったけれど、やっと親孝行(おやこうこう)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(おやふこう) is the opposite of 親孝行(おやこうこう) (filial piety). It is composed of 親(おや) (parent) + 不孝(ふこう) (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(おやふこう)な子(こ) (an unfilial child).

Common collocations

親不孝(おやふこう)な子(こ): an unfilial child
親不孝(おやふこう)をする: act in an unfilial way
親不孝(おやふこう)もの: ungrateful child (somewhat stronger)
親不孝(おやふこう)通(どお)り: a street associated with nightlife (named because children spending time there worry their parents)

Similar words

親孝行(おやこうこう): filial piety — the antonym; showing devotion and care for one's parents
不孝(ふこう): unfilial — more formal and literary; not limited to parent-child relationships

Related Words

Antonym: 親孝行(おやこうこう) (filial piety)

general

Added 2026.4.25 21:37 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

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