Japanese word

両親

Pronunciation

Romajiryōshin

Meaning

  • nounparents

Example

私の両親は元気です。watashi no ryō shin wa gen ki de su

My parents are well.

Illustration for 両親 (parents)

More examples

来週、両親に会いに行きます。rai shū ryō shin ni a i ni i ki ma su

I am going to see my parents next week.

Core concept

It refers to the two people who stand in the roles of a person's father and mother.

Common phrases

  • 両親に会うryō shin ni a u

    meet one's parents

  • 両親と暮らすryō shin to ku ra su

    live with one's parents

Similar words

親oya: A father, a mother, or both parents in a family.
父母fubo: A formal term for a person's father and mother as a pair.
親御さんoyagosan: A respectful term for another person's father, mother, or both parents.

Definition in Japanese

子から見た父と母の二人。ko ka ra mi ta chichi to haha no futa ri

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese compound joins 両 (ryō, "both") with 親 (shin, "parent"), expressing the idea of both parents.

Usage tips

  • 両親 (ryōshin) is common in neutral conversation, while 父母 (fubo) sounds more formal and is less common in everyday speech.

Word lists with this word