爸爸
bàbanoun★Beginner
informal
Father; dad
我的爸爸很爱我。
My dad loves me very much.
爸爸，我回来了！
Dad, I'm home!
💡
A common and affectionate term for one's father, often used by children or in informal contexts.
Collocations
爸爸妈妈parents爸爸的朋友dad's friend
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related Phrases
爸爸去哪儿了？phrase
Where did dad go?
💡Pro Tip
Common Usage
'爸爸' is the most natural and widely used term for 'father' in everyday speech, especially among children and in informal settings.
⚡Gold Rule
Formal vs. Informal
Use '父亲' in formal or written contexts, while '爸爸' is preferred in spoken language.
📖Word Origin
Composed of '爸' (bà, meaning 'father') and the reduplicative suffix '-ba' for emphasis and affection.
📝Usage Notes
While '爸爸' is the most common term for 'father' in modern Chinese, '父亲' is more formal and often used in written contexts or when referring to someone else's father.
Word Breakdown
爸
father
root-ba
affectionate suffix
suffix✎ Noted on May 2, 2026ZH → EN