りょうしん
りょうしん in 30 Sekunden
- Refers to both parents collectively (mother and father).
- Used for your own parents when talking to outsiders.
- More formal than 'oya' but less honorific than 'goryoushin'.
- Essential for self-introductions and formal family descriptions.
The Japanese word りょうしん (両親) is a formal and standard noun used to refer to one's own parents. In the intricate web of Japanese social hierarchy and the concept of uchi-soto (inside-outside), this term serves as the primary way to identify the parental unit when speaking to others about your own family. The kanji composition is quite literal: 両 (ryou) meaning 'both' or 'two,' and 親 (shin/oya) meaning 'parent' or 'intimacy.' Together, they form a collective noun that encompasses both the mother and the father. Unlike the more casual 'oya' (parent), 'ryoushin' carries a layer of politeness and structural clarity that makes it suitable for school, work, and general social interactions. It is important to note that while it is used to describe one's own parents, it can also be used as a general term for 'parents' in a biological or sociological sense. However, when addressing someone else's parents directly or referring to them in a polite conversation, the honorific prefix 'go-' is added to become goryoushin. This distinction is vital for learners to master early on to avoid sounding overly familiar or disrespectful. In a broader sense, 'ryoushin' represents the foundation of the family unit in Japanese culture, a culture that historically places high value on filial piety and the ancestral line. When you use this word, you are not just naming two people; you are referencing a specific social role and a set of obligations and relationships that are deeply rooted in the Japanese psyche.
- Grammatical Category
- Noun (Common Noun)
- Kanji Representation
- 両親 (りょうしん)
- Core Meaning
- Both parents; mother and father
"私のりょうしんは京都に住んでいます。" (My parents live in Kyoto.)
In terms of frequency, 'ryoushin' appears in almost every introductory Japanese textbook because it is essential for basic biographical descriptions. Whether you are filling out a form at a ward office, talking to a teacher, or chatting with a new friend, knowing how to correctly reference your parents is a cornerstone of Japanese communication. The word also appears in various legal and academic contexts, such as 'ryoushin no doui' (parental consent). Understanding 'ryoushin' is your first step into the complex world of Japanese kinship terms, which change based on who you are talking to and whose family you are discussing. It acts as a neutral anchor point before you dive into the more complex honorifics like 'chichi,' 'haha,' 'otousan,' and 'okaasan.'
Using りょうしん correctly requires an understanding of the Uchi-Soto (Inside-Outside) social dynamic. In Japanese culture, your family is considered part of your 'inside' group. When you speak to someone from the 'outside' (like a teacher, a boss, or a stranger), you use humble or neutral terms for your own family members. 'Ryoushin' is the perfect neutral-to-humble term for this purpose. You would use it when introducing your family: 'Kore wa watashi no ryoushin desu' (These are my parents). You would also use it when describing their habits, locations, or health to others. However, you should never use 'ryoushin' to refer to the listener's parents if you want to be polite. For the listener's parents, you must use ご両親 (goryoushin). This 'go-' prefix acts as a 'beautifier' and an honorific marker that elevates the status of the person you are talking about. Using 'ryoushin' for someone else's parents can sound blunt or even rude in a formal setting.
- Common Particle Pairing
- りょうしんと (with parents), りょうしんに (to/for parents)
- Verb Collocations
- りょうしんを紹介する (to introduce parents), りょうしんに相談する (to consult parents)
"週末はりょうしんを手伝います。" (I will help my parents this weekend.)
In written Japanese, the kanji 両親 is almost always used. The hiragana 'りょうしん' is mostly seen in materials for very young children or early Japanese learners. When writing a letter or an email, using the kanji is expected. In terms of sentence structure, 'ryoushin' functions like any other noun. It can be the subject (ryoushin ga...), the object (ryoushin wo...), or a possessive (ryoushin no...). A common pattern for A2 learners is 'Ryoushin wa [Place] ni imasu' (My parents are in [Place]). As you progress to B1 and B2 levels, you will start using 'ryoushin' in more complex structures, such as 'Ryoushin ni hantai sarete mo...' (Even if my parents oppose me...). The word remains consistent in its meaning, but the grammatical environment becomes more sophisticated. Another nuance is that 'ryoushin' is slightly more formal than saying 'oya.' While 'oya' can be used in phrases like 'oya-ko' (parent and child), 'ryoushin' specifically emphasizes the pair. If you only have one parent, you would generally use 'oya' or specify 'haha' (mother) or 'chichi' (father) rather than 'ryoushin.'
You will encounter りょうしん in a variety of daily and formal situations. One of the most common places is during self-introductions (jikoshoukai). In a classroom or a new workplace, people often mention where their parents are from or what they do. You will also hear it frequently in Japanese media, such as anime, dramas, and news reports. In news reports, 'ryoushin' is used as a standard objective term to describe the parents of a person being discussed. For example, 'Hikoku no ryoushin wa...' (The defendant's parents...). In school settings, teachers will use it when talking about the student body's parents in a general sense, though they will switch to 'goryoushin' when speaking directly to a specific parent about their child. In literature, 'ryoushin' is used to provide background information about a character's upbringing. It is a word that carries a sense of stability and formality.
"りょうしんの結婚記念日にプレゼントを買いました。" (I bought a present for my parents' wedding anniversary.)
In professional environments, you might hear it during small talk. If a colleague asks about your family, you would reply using 'ryoushin.' For instance, 'Ryoushin wa mou taishoku shimashita' (My parents have already retired). It is also prevalent in legal and medical forms. If you go to a hospital in Japan, the intake form might ask for 'Ryoushin no renrakusaki' (Parents' contact information). In these contexts, the word is used for its precision. Unlike 'kazoku' (family), which is broad, 'ryoushin' specifically targets the two individuals responsible for your birth and upbringing. Interestingly, in modern urban Japan, the word is also appearing in discussions about 'ryoushin-gacha' (parents-gacha), a slang term used by younger generations to describe the luck of being born to successful or supportive parents. While this is a more casual and somewhat controversial use, it shows how the word 'ryoushin' remains at the center of social discourse regarding family and opportunity.
The most frequent mistake learners make with りょうしん is failing to distinguish between their own parents and someone else's parents. This is a classic Keigo (honorific Japanese) error. If you are talking to your boss and you say 'Anata no ryoushin wa...' (Your parents...), it sounds quite blunt. You must add the honorific 'go' to make it ご両親 (goryoushin). Conversely, you should almost never call your own parents 'goryoushin' when talking to others, as that would be 'elevating' your own family, which goes against the humble nature of Japanese social interaction. Another common error is confusing 'ryoushin' with 'shinrui' (relatives). While parents are relatives, 'ryoushin' is strictly limited to the mother and father. If you want to talk about your aunts, uncles, and cousins, 'ryoushin' is the wrong word.
- Mistake 1
- Using 'ryoushin' for someone else's parents in a formal setting.
- Mistake 2
- Using 'goryoushin' for your own parents when talking to outsiders.
- Mistake 3
- Confusing the pronunciation with 'ryoushin' (良心), which means 'conscience'.
❌ "田中さんのりょうしんは元気ですか?" (Incorrect/Blunt)
✅ "田中さんのご両親は元気ですか?" (Correct/Polite)
Pronunciation is another area where mistakes occur. 'Ryoushin' (両親 - parents) has a long 'o' sound (ryou) and a short 'i' sound. There is a homophone, ryoushin (良心), which means 'conscience.' While they sound identical, the context usually makes the meaning clear. However, in writing, you must be careful to use the correct kanji. Another nuance is the use of 'ryoushin' versus 'oya.' While 'ryoushin' means 'both parents,' 'oya' can mean 'parent' (singular or plural). If you are referring to a single-parent household, using 'ryoushin' might be factually incorrect or sensitive. In such cases, it is better to use 'oya' or specific terms like 'haha-oya' (mother) or 'chichi-oya' (father). Finally, learners sometimes forget that 'ryoushin' is a noun and try to use it like an adjective. It cannot be used to mean 'parental' without the particle 'no' (e.g., 'ryoushin no ai' - parental love).
Understanding りょうしん becomes easier when you compare it to other family-related terms. The most direct synonym is 親 (oya). While 'ryoushin' specifically refers to the pair (mother and father), 'oya' is a more general term for 'parent.' You might hear 'oya' in casual conversation or in compound words like 'oyabaka' (a doting parent). Another related term is 父母 (fubo). This is a very formal, often written term for 'father and mother.' You will see 'fubo' on official documents, like birth certificates or school applications. It is rarely used in spoken conversation. Then there is the honorific version, ご両親 (goryoushin), which we have discussed as the necessary form for referring to others' parents. For very formal or archaic contexts, you might encounter 二親 (futaoya), meaning 'the two parents,' but this is mostly found in literature or traditional poetry.
- 親 (oya)
- General term for parent(s). More casual than ryoushin.
- 父母 (fubo)
- Formal/Written term for 'father and mother'.
- ご両親 (goryoushin)
- Honorific form for someone else's parents.
"親の心子知らず。" (A child never knows a parent's heart.)
When choosing between these words, consider the level of formality and the 'inside/outside' relationship. If you are writing a formal essay about family dynamics, 'ryoushin' or 'fubo' is appropriate. If you are talking to a close friend about your mom and dad, you might just say 'uchi no oya' (my parents) or even more specifically 'otousan to okaasan.' However, 'ryoushin' remains the safest, most versatile choice for learners in almost all standard situations. It strikes a balance between being respectful and being natural. It is also helpful to know the terms for 'foster parents' (youniwa or youshi-engumi no oya) and 'step-parents' (girei no ryoushin), though 'ryoushin' is often used to encompass them in general conversation. Mastering 'ryoushin' provides the foundation for navigating these more specific and nuanced family relationships in Japanese.
How Formal Is It?
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Schwierigkeitsgrad
Wichtige Grammatik
Beispiele nach Niveau
わたしのりょうしんはアメリカにいます。
My parents are in America.
Uses 'wa' for the subject and 'ni imasu' for location.
りょうしんは先生です。
My parents are teachers.
The subject 'watashi no' is omitted but implied.
りょうしんとごはんをたべます。
I eat a meal with my parents.
The particle 'to' means 'with' in this context.
これはりょうしんの写真です。
This is a photo of my parents.
The particle 'no' shows possession/connection.
りょうしんは元気です。
My parents are doing well.
'Genki' is an adjective meaning healthy/well.
りょうしんに電話をします。
I will call my parents.
The particle 'ni' indicates the recipient of the call.
りょうしんは日本が大好きです。
My parents love Japan.
'Daisuki' is used with the particle 'ga'.
あした、りょうしんが来ます。
Tomorrow, my parents are coming.
'Ashita' (tomorrow) is the time marker.
りょうしんに手紙を書きました。
I wrote a letter to my parents.
Past tense of 'kaku' (to write).
りょうしんはどこに住んでいますか。
Where do your parents live?
'Sunde imasu' is the continuous state of living.
りょうしんは二人とも医者です。
Both of my parents are doctors.
'Futari tomo' means 'both of them'.
りょうしんを空港まで迎えに行きます。
I'm going to the airport to pick up my parents.
'Mukae ni iku' is a common phrase for picking someone up.
りょうしんに相談してから決めます。
I will decide after consulting with my parents.
'Te-form + kara' means 'after doing X'.
りょうしんへのプレゼントを探しています。
I am looking for a present for my parents.
'He no' indicates a gift directed toward someone.
りょうしんは私が日本に来るのを心配しています。
My parents are worried about me coming to Japan.
'No' nominalizes the preceding clause.
りょうしんに似ていると言われます。
I am told that I look like my parents.
'Nite iru' means to resemble.
りょうしんに反対されても、留学したいです。
Even if my parents oppose it, I want to study abroad.
Uses the passive 'hantai sareru' and the conditional 'te mo'.
りょうしんの期待に応えたいと思っています。
I want to live up to my parents' expectations.
'Kitai ni kotaeru' is a set phrase for meeting expectations.
りょうしんは私が自立することを望んでいます。
My parents want me to become independent.
'Nozomu' means to hope or desire.
りょうしんのおかげで、大学を卒業できました。
Thanks to my parents, I was able to graduate from university.
'Okage de' is used for positive results due to someone.
りょうしんを安心させるために、毎日連絡しています。
I contact them every day to set my parents' minds at ease.
'Anshin saseru' is the causative form of 'anshin suru'.
りょうしんの結婚記念日に、旅行をプレゼントしました。
I gifted a trip for my parents' wedding anniversary.
Specific use of 'kekkon kinenbi' (wedding anniversary).
りょうしんから離れて暮らすのは初めてです。
This is the first time I've lived away from my parents.
'Hanarete kurasu' means to live apart.
りょうしんの教えを今でも大切にしています。
I still value my parents' teachings today.
'Oshie' refers to teachings or lessons.
りょうしんの同意なしに、この契約はできません。
This contract cannot be made without parental consent.
'Doui nashi ni' means 'without consent'.
りょうしんの介護について、兄弟で話し合いました。
The siblings discussed the nursing care of their parents.
'Kaigo' refers to nursing or elderly care.
りょうしんの遺産をどのように分けるか検討中です。
We are considering how to divide our parents' inheritance.
'Isan' means inheritance or legacy.
りょうしんの背中を見て育ちました。
I grew up watching my parents' example (literally 'backs').
An idiomatic expression meaning to learn from one's parents' actions.
りょうしんの反対を押し切って、俳優の道を選んだ。
I chose the path of an actor, overriding my parents' opposition.
'Oshikiru' means to push through or override.
りょうしんの深い愛情に包まれて育ちました。
I grew up surrounded by my parents' deep affection.
'Tsutsumareru' is the passive form of 'tsutsumu' (to wrap/surround).
りょうしんの影響で、幼い頃から音楽に親しんできた。
Due to my parents' influence, I've been familiar with music since childhood.
'Eikyou' means influence.
りょうしん媒酌の結婚式は、最近では珍しい。
Weddings with parents as matchmakers are rare these days.
'Baishaku' refers to matchmaking or acting as a go-between.
りょうしんの扶養義務に関する法的解釈を調べる。
Investigate the legal interpretation regarding the obligation to support parents.
'Fuyou gimu' is the legal term for the duty of support.
りょうしんの不和が子供の心理に与える影響は大きい。
The discord between parents has a significant impact on a child's psychology.
'Fuwa' means discord or friction.
りょうしんの期待という重圧に押しつぶされそうだった。
I felt like I was being crushed by the pressure of my parents' expectations.
'Oshitsubusareru' means to be crushed.
りょうしんの死後、実家の片付けをするのは辛い作業だ。
Cleaning out one's childhood home after the death of one's parents is a painful task.
'Shigo' means after death; 'jikka' means one's parents' home.
りょうしんの価値観を否定することで、自らのアイデンティティを確立した。
By rejecting my parents' values, I established my own identity.
'Kakuritsu suru' means to establish or consolidate.
りょうしんの承諾を得て、家業を継ぐことにした。
With my parents' consent, I decided to take over the family business.
'Shoudaku' is a formal word for consent or agreement.
りょうしんの愛情は、時として過保護という形をとることもある。
Parental love sometimes takes the form of overprotectiveness.
'Kahogo' means overprotection.
りょうしんのルーツを辿るために、祖父母の故郷を訪ねた。
To trace my parents' roots, I visited my grandparents' hometown.
'Roots' (ruutsu) is used here in a genealogical sense.
りょうしんの情愛と厳格な教育が、彼の不屈の精神を育んだ。
The affection and strict education of his parents nurtured his indomitable spirit.
'Jouai' (affection) and 'hagukumu' (to nurture) are high-level terms.
りょうしんの不在が、彼の文学作品に影を落としている。
The absence of his parents casts a shadow over his literary works.
'Kage wo otosu' is a literary metaphor.
りょうしんの葛藤を目の当たりにしながら、彼は沈黙を守った。
While witnessing his parents' conflict, he remained silent.
'Kattou' means conflict/struggle; 'me no atari ni suru' means to witness.
りょうしんの恩義に報いるべく、彼は生涯を捧げた。
To repay his debt of gratitude to his parents, he dedicated his life.
'Ongi ni mukuiru' means to repay a debt of gratitude.
りょうしんの教化が、彼の倫理観の根幹を成している。
His parents' moral influence forms the basis of his ethical views.
'Kyouka' (moral influence/education) and 'konkan' (root/basis).
りょうしんの慈愛に満ちた眼差しを、今でも鮮明に覚えている。
I still vividly remember my parents' gaze, which was full of affection.
'Jiai' (benevolence/affection) and 'senmei ni' (vividly).
りょうしんの確執が、一族の没落を招く一因となった。
The feud between the parents was one factor that led to the family's downfall.
'Kakushitsu' (feud/discord) and 'motsuraku' (downfall/ruin).
りょうしんの遺志を継ぎ、彼は慈善活動に奔走している。
Carrying on his parents' dying wishes, he is busy with charitable activities.
'Ishi' (dying wish) and 'honsou suru' (to be busy with/running around for).
Häufige Kollokationen
Häufige Phrasen
両親によろしく (Give my regards to your parents - Note: usually 'goryoushin' here)
両親媒酌 (Parents as matchmakers)
両親への感謝 (Gratitude to parents)
両親との思い出 (Memories with parents)
両親の教え (Parents' teachings)
両親媒酌の縁 (A match made by parents)
両親の背中を見て育つ (To grow up watching parents' example)
両親健在 (Parents are alive and well)
両親の承諾 (Parental consent)
両親不在 (Parents absent)
Wird oft verwechselt mit
Redewendungen & Ausdrücke
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Leicht verwechselbar
Satzmuster
Wortfamilie
Verwandt
So verwendest du es
Neutral-polite. Safe for most situations.
Always refers to both parents. Use 'oya' for singular.
- Using 'ryoushin' for the listener's parents.
- Using 'goryoushin' for one's own parents.
- Shortening the 'ryou' sound to 'ryo'.
- Confusing the kanji for 'ryou' (両) with 'ame' (雨).
- Using 'ryoushin' when only one parent is being referred to.
Tipps
Uchi-Soto Rule
Always use 'ryoushin' for your own family and 'goryoushin' for others. This is a fundamental rule of Japanese social interaction.
Long Vowels
Make sure to extend the 'o' in 'ryou'. If you say 'ryoshin', it won't be understood as 'parents'.
Kanji Practice
The kanji for 'ryou' (両) is also used in 'ryoug替え' (money exchange). Learning it early is very helpful.
Filial Piety
When talking about your parents, showing a bit of respect or gratitude is culturally expected in Japan.
Context Matters
In very casual settings with close friends, you might just say 'oya' or 'otousan to okaasan' instead of 'ryoushin'.
Related Terms
Learn 'shinseki' (relatives) and 'kyoudai' (siblings) along with 'ryoushin' to complete your basic family vocabulary.
Identify the 'Go'
If you hear 'goryoushin', the speaker is likely being polite or talking about someone else's parents.
Self-Intro
Practice saying 'Ryoushin wa [Place] ni sunde imasu' as part of your standard self-introduction.
Kanji Meaning
The 'shin' in 'ryoushin' is the same as in 'shinsetsu' (kind). Think of parents as the 'kind pair'.
Don't Mix Up
Be careful not to confuse 'ryoushin' (parents) with 'ryoushin' (conscience) in written exams.
Einprägen
Wortherkunft
Kultureller Kontext
Distinction between 'inside' (family) and 'outside' (others) affects word choice.
Common to give gifts to 'ryoushin' on Mother's Day, Father's Day, and anniversaries.
High emphasis on respecting and caring for parents.
Im Alltag üben
Kontexte aus dem Alltag
Gesprächseinstiege
"ご両親はお元気ですか? (Are your parents well?)"
"ご両親はどこに住んでいますか? (Where do your parents live?)"
"ご両親の仕事は何ですか? (What is your parents' job?)"
"ご両親に似ていますね。 (You look like your parents, don't you?)"
"週末はご両親に会いますか? (Will you see your parents this weekend?)"
Tagebuch-Impulse
私の両親について (About my parents)
両親からもらった一番大切なもの (The most important thing I received from my parents)
両親と行きたい場所 (A place I want to go with my parents)
両親に感謝していること (Things I am grateful to my parents for)
両親の若い頃の話 (Stories from my parents' youth)
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenIt's better to use 'goryoushin' to be polite. Using 'ryoushin' for others can sound a bit too casual or blunt.
'Ryoushin' specifically means both parents (mother and father). 'Oya' is a more general term that can mean one or both parents and is more casual.
In formal written documents, 'fubo' (父母) is often used instead of 'ryoushin'.
Technically 'ryoushin' means 'both parents.' If referring to a single parent, it's better to use 'haha' (mother), 'chichi' (father), or 'oya' (parent).
It is the honorific version of 'ryoushin,' used when referring to someone else's parents.
Yes, it's Type 1 (Atamadaka), meaning the first syllable is high and the rest are low. This helps distinguish it from other words.
Yes, 'ryoushin' (良心) means conscience, but it uses different kanji. In speech, context usually makes the meaning clear.
Use 'chichi' and 'haha' when you want to specify your father or mother individually. Use 'ryoushin' when talking about them as a pair.
Yes, it is extremely common and is one of the first family terms learned by students of Japanese.
No, you should not use 'go-' for your own family members when talking to others. Just say 'watashi no ryoushin' or simply 'ryoushin'.
Teste dich selbst 180 Fragen
/ 180 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
Use 'ryoushin' to talk about your own parents to others. Always add 'go-' (goryoushin) when talking about someone else's parents to remain polite and culturally appropriate.
- Refers to both parents collectively (mother and father).
- Used for your own parents when talking to outsiders.
- More formal than 'oya' but less honorific than 'goryoushin'.
- Essential for self-introductions and formal family descriptions.
Uchi-Soto Rule
Always use 'ryoushin' for your own family and 'goryoushin' for others. This is a fundamental rule of Japanese social interaction.
Long Vowels
Make sure to extend the 'o' in 'ryou'. If you say 'ryoshin', it won't be understood as 'parents'.
Kanji Practice
The kanji for 'ryou' (両) is also used in 'ryoug替え' (money exchange). Learning it early is very helpful.
Filial Piety
When talking about your parents, showing a bit of respect or gratitude is culturally expected in Japan.
Beispiel
両親は元気です。
Verwandte Inhalte
Dieses Wort in anderen Sprachen
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還暦
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〜くらい
B1About; approximately; to the extent that.
認め合う
B1To recognize each other's worth; to acknowledge.
知人
B1Acquaintance.
顔見知り
A2Acquaintance; someone you know by sight.
甘える
B1To be spoiled, to fawn; to behave like a pampered child.
活発な
B1Active; lively; vigorous.
思春期
B1Adolescence; the period of transition from childhood to adulthood.
養子
B1Adopted child; a child taken into one's family by legal means.
養親
B2Adoptive parent.