父 means “father”

ちち · chichi

Kun'yomi (Japanese reading): ちち
On'yomi (Chinese reading): フ

JLPT N5 · Taught in grade 2 · 4 strokes

The story

A man in strength: the protector, the guide, the anchor that holds the family steady.

Polite form: お父さん (otousan). Used in Father's Day (父の日, Chichi no Hi)

Where it comes from

Pictographic (象形文字): A hand holding a stone axe: the family protector.

The father was the family protector and toolmaker. The ancient pictograph showed a hand holding a stone axe, the symbol of authority and protection. The modern character's top crossing strokes represent the axe, and the bottom strokes are the gripping hand.

To remember it: Two crossing strokes on top (the axe) with a figure holding it below: the family protector.

Its parts

八 Split/divide · Top
又 Hand · Bottom

A hand (又) holding tools to provide (八): father

Words with 父

父母 (ふぼ, fubo): parents
父子 (ふし, fushi): father and child

Example sentences

父は会社で働いています。 My father works at a company.
父と釣りに行きました。 I went fishing with my father.

Kanji that look like 父

交 (mix /交わる): 交 has longer legs than 父: people crossing paths

More from People & Life

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