親
oyaParent (father or mother)
親は子供の成長を見守る
Parents watch over their children's growth
Close relative or ancestor
先祖の親から受け継いだ家
A house inherited from ancestors
Someone who is close or familiar (often used in business or social contexts)
彼は親友だ
He is a close friend (literally 'parent friend')
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💡Pro Tip
Politeness in Addressing Parents
When speaking to or about one's own parents, it's common to use honorifics like 'お父さん' (father) or 'お母さん' (mother) in casual conversation.
⚡Gold Rule
Avoid Overgeneralization
While '親' can mean 'parent' or 'relative,' it should not be used to refer to distant ancestors or unrelated individuals.
📖Word Origin
Composed of the kanji 親 (oya), which originally meant 'close' or 'near,' and later came to refer to parents due to their close relationship with children.
📝Usage Notes
In modern Japanese, '親' can refer to both parents collectively or individually. When referring to one's own parents, it's often used with possessive particles like '私の親' (my parents).