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おやじ
oyaji
middle-aged or older man, often with a fatherly or somewhat gruff demeanor
おやじはまた飲みに行った。
The old man went drinking again.
informal
A middle-aged or older man, often with a somewhat gruff or fatherly demeanor. Can be used affectionately or neutrally, but sometimes carries a slightly negative connotation implying stubbornness or old-fashioned attitudes.
おやじはまた仕事の話を始めた。
The old man started talking about work again.
おやじの意見は古い。
The old man's opinion is outdated.
The term can be used affectionately among friends or family, but may sound disrespectful if used to refer to someone you don't know well.
informal
A term of endearment for one's own father, similar to 'old man' in English.
おやじ、今どこ？
Dad, where are you?
This usage is more common among younger speakers.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Formal vs. Informal Usage
In formal contexts, avoid using 'おやじ' to refer to someone else's father. Use 'お父さん' or '父' instead.
Gold Rule
Respectful Usage
When referring to someone's father, especially in formal contexts, use 'お父さん' or '父' instead of 'おやじ' to avoid sounding disrespectful.
Word Origin
Derived from the word '父' (father) with the honorific prefix 'お' and the diminutive suffix 'じ'. The term has evolved to refer to older men in general, not just fathers.
Usage Notes
While 'おやじ' can be used affectionately among friends or family, it may sound disrespectful if used to refer to someone you don't know well. In formal contexts, it's better to use 'お父さん' or '父' when referring to one's own father.
Word Breakdown
お
honorific prefix
prefixや
a colloquial or familiar form of '父' (father)
rootじ
a diminutive suffix
suffix和英辞典