How to Say ‘Father’ in Japanese
お父さん
おとうさん
💬 Usage Tip: Informal term for one's own father or when addressing someone else's, pronounced as (otōsan).
🇯🇵 In Japan: Using [お] adds respect. Family terms hold significant weight in conversations.
Word-by-Word Breakdown
おお
[o]
polite prefix
Prefix added to honorifics and nouns.
お兄さんですね。
It's your elder brother, right?
父とう
[tou]
father
Refers to one's father, usually respectfully.
父が帰宅しました。
My father came home.
さんさん
[san]
Mr./Ms.
A polite suffix used to refer to people.
鈴木さんですか？
Is it Mr./Ms. Suzuki?
Get the Full Learning Experience
This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.
Pronunciation Feedback
AI-powered speech recognition to perfect your accent
Spaced Repetition
Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice
Immersive Roleplaying
Practice real conversations with AI partners
Custom Scenarios
Request lessons tailored to your specific needs
Get Full LessonWhat Learners Are Saying
“Teaching in Osaka and I wanted to connect with my students beyond the classroom. The everyday conversation scenarios made my Japanese feel natural, not textbook-y.”
Mia S., 25, English Teacher
“Moved to Tokyo and the polite vs. casual speech levels were killing me. This app breaks it all down with real scenarios. My coworkers noticed the difference in weeks.”
Kevin Z., 31, Game Developer
“I tried five different apps before this one. The roleplay conversations are what finally made things click. I actually remember what I learn now.”
Sofia R., 31, Marketing Manager