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爸爸
bàba
dad
爸爸，我回来了！
Dad, I'm back!
informal
Informal term for father, used by children or in casual contexts.
爸爸正在厨房做饭。
Dad is cooking in the kitchen.
你爸爸在家吗？
Is your dad at home?
Used across all regions of China. In formal writing, 父亲 is preferred.
Pro Tip
Tone and Register
Use 爸爸 in casual speech or when addressing your father directly. In formal contexts (e.g., news reports, official documents), use 父亲.
Gold Rule
Addressing Family
When speaking to your father, 爸爸 is the most natural term. For third parties, 父亲 is neutral and respectful.
Word Origin
Combines 爸 (father) + 巴 (suffix indicating familiarity or endearment). The reduplication (爸爸) evolved into 爸爸 as a childish term, later adopted universally.
Usage Notes
1) Universally understood across Mandarin-speaking regions. 2) Adults may use it affectionately with elderly fathers. 3) Avoid using in formal documents; 父亲 is standard.
Word Breakdown
爸
father
root巴
suffix denoting familiarity
suffix汉英词典