片 親(かたおや)

かたおや

noun

single parent; one parent

1. single parent; one parent; one of the two parents

A household with only one parent present, due to divorce, death, or other circumstances. Also used neutrally to mean "one of the two parents" when the other is being contrasted.

片親(かたおや)家庭(かてい)で育(そだ)った。

I was raised in a single-parent household.

片親(かたおや)が外国人(がいこくじん)の子供(こども)が増(ふ)えている。

The number of children with one foreign parent is increasing.

片親(かたおや)を亡(な)くした子供(こども)を支援(しえん)する団体(だんたい)でボランティアをしている。

I volunteer at an organization that supports children who have lost one parent.

Composed of 片(かた) (one of a pair) + 親(おや) (parent). Compare 片足(かたあし) (one foot) for the same 片(かた) pattern.

Common collocations

片親(かたおや)家庭(かてい): single-parent household
片親(かたおや)で育(そだ)つ: to grow up with one parent
片親(かたおや)を亡(な)くす: to lose one parent

Usage

In sensitive contexts (welfare, news reports), ひとり親(おや) is now preferred over 片親(かたおや), which can sound dated or carry slight stigma. 片親(かたおや) is still widely used in casual speech and when contrasting one parent with the other.

Similar words

ひとり親(おや): single parent — modern, neutral term used in policy and media
両親(りょうしん): both parents — the contrasting form

Related Words

Compare: 両親(りょうしん) (both parents)

general

Added 2026.5.13 12:11 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

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