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A2 adjective 11 min read

双亲

shuang1 qin1
Examples
Explanation 双亲 in your Level:
At the A1 level, learners are just beginning to understand basic family vocabulary. You have likely already learned the words for father (爸爸 - bàba) and mother (妈妈 - māma). You might also know the general word for parents (父母 - fùmǔ). The word 双亲 (shuāngqīn) is a bit more advanced, but it is very useful to recognize early on because you will see it on official forms. For example, if you are filling out a registration form for a language school in China, there might be a box asking for your 双亲 information. It simply means 'both parents'. The character 双 means 'two' or 'a pair', like a pair of chopsticks. The character 亲 means relative or parent. So, together, they mean 'the pair of parents'. You do not need to use this word when speaking to your friends. If a friend asks about your family, just say 爸爸妈妈 or 父母. Keep 双亲 in your passive vocabulary for reading forms and signs.
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At the A2 level, you are starting to describe the world around you in more detail, including family structures. This is where the word 双亲 (shuāngqīn) becomes very useful as an adjective. You can use it to describe a 'two-parent family' by saying 双亲家庭 (shuāngqīn jiātíng). This is a great phrase to know when you are comparing different types of families. For example, you can contrast it with a 'single-parent family', which is 单亲家庭 (dānqīn jiātíng). Notice how both phrases use the word 家庭 (family) at the end. When you are writing a simple essay about society or talking about where someone grew up, using 双亲家庭 shows that your vocabulary is growing beyond just basic words. Remember not to add the word 'two' (两) in front of it, because the '双' already means two! Just say 这是一个双亲家庭 (This is a two-parent family).
At the B1 level, your conversations and reading materials are becoming more complex. You are likely discussing social issues, education, and cultural differences. The word 双亲 (shuāngqīn) is essential for these topics. You will often see it in news articles or hear it in reports about child development and family dynamics. It is considered a formal term, so it elevates the quality of your written Chinese. For instance, if you are writing a composition about the challenges of modern parenting, you might write about how raising a child requires the effort of both parents (需要双亲的努力). You will also encounter formal idioms and set phrases using this word, such as 双亲健在 (both parents are alive and well). Understanding the formal register of this word is key at this level. You should know exactly when to use 父母 (in general contexts) versus when to use 双亲 (in formal, written, or sociological contexts).
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At the B2 level, you are engaging with native-level media, including newspapers, formal broadcasts, and literature. The word 双亲 (shuāngqīn) will appear frequently in these domains. It is standard vocabulary in demographic reports and sociological studies. You will read sentences like '该政策旨在减轻双亲家庭的经济负担' (The policy aims to reduce the economic burden on two-parent families). At this stage, you should be perfectly comfortable using it as an attributive noun without the particle 的 (e.g., 双亲家庭, not 双亲的家庭). You should also appreciate its use in formal speeches. For example, in a formal address, thanking one's 双亲 for their upbringing shows a high level of cultural and linguistic competence, reflecting the deep-rooted Chinese value of filial piety. It is a marker of an educated speaker who can navigate different linguistic registers smoothly.
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At the C1 level, you are expected to understand and produce complex academic and professional texts. The word 双亲 (shuāngqīn) is a staple in academic discourse regarding sociology, psychology, and law. You will encounter it in legal documents outlining parental rights, where precision is paramount. In literature, it is used to evoke a sense of solemnity and deep respect. You might read classical or modern literary texts describing the grief of losing one's 双亲. You should be able to manipulate this word in advanced grammatical structures, understanding its nuances compared to synonyms like 父母 or 考妣 (a highly classical term for deceased parents). Your usage should be flawless, recognizing that it inherently contains plurality and cannot be modified by numerical classifiers. You should use it naturally in essays discussing demographic shifts, the aging population, and the evolution of the traditional family unit in modern Chinese society.
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At the C2 level, your mastery of Chinese allows you to appreciate the etymological and cultural depth of words like 双亲 (shuāngqīn). You understand its roots in classical Chinese literature and its evolution into modern sociological terminology. You can seamlessly integrate it into highly sophisticated discourse, whether you are writing a thesis on Chinese family law, translating complex demographic data, or giving a formal eulogy or celebratory speech. You recognize the subtle emotional weight the word carries in literary contexts, conveying a profound sense of duty and reverence (孝) towards the parental unit. You are also aware of regional variations and historical texts where the usage of 亲 might have broader implications, but you can confidently restrict your modern usage of 双亲 to its precise definition of 'both parents' or 'two-parent'. Your command of this word reflects a near-native intuition for register, tone, and cultural resonance.
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Examples
The Chinese term 双亲 (shuāngqīn) is a highly formal and specific vocabulary word that translates directly to 'both parents' or, when used as a modifier, 'two-parent'. To fully grasp the depth of this word, we must break down its individual characters. The first character, 双 (shuāng), means 'double', 'pair', or 'two'. You will frequently encounter this character in words like 双人 (two-person) or 一双鞋 (a pair of shoes). The second character, 亲 (qīn), relates to blood relations, parents, or intimacy, as seen in words like 父亲 (father), 母亲 (mother), or 亲戚 (relatives). When combined, 双亲 literally means 'the pair of parents'. In modern Chinese, especially in sociological, demographic, or formal contexts, it is widely used as an adjective-like attributive noun to describe family structures, most notably in the phrase 双亲家庭 (two-parent family). This is in direct contrast to 单亲家庭 (single-parent family). While everyday spoken Chinese heavily relies on the word 父母 (fùmǔ) to mean 'parents', 双亲 carries a much more formal, academic, or literary register. You will rarely hear a teenager say 'My two-parents went to the store' using 双亲. Instead, they would use 爸妈 (bàmā) or 父母 (fùmǔ). However, you will absolutely see 双亲 on official government forms, school registration documents, census surveys, and in news articles discussing child development, education, and social welfare. Understanding when to use this word is crucial for achieving fluency in Chinese, particularly if you are reading newspapers, studying Chinese sociology, or filling out formal paperwork.
Linguistic Breakdown
The word is composed of two morphemes: 双 indicating plurality (specifically a pair) and 亲 indicating parental relation. Together they form a compound word that functions both as a noun and an attributive adjective.
Sociological Context
In sociology, family structures are categorized precisely. The term is essential for distinguishing between traditional nuclear families and alternative family structures in academic literature.
Register and Tone
The tone is highly formal, objective, and respectful. It is often used in written language (书面语) rather than spoken language (口语).

这是一个典型的双亲家庭。(This is a typical two-parent family.)

研究表明，双亲的陪伴对孩子很重要。(Research shows that the companionship of both parents is important for children.)

学校要求双亲都在同意书上签字。(The school requires both parents to sign the consent form.)

她自幼失去双亲。(She lost both parents when she was young.)

在双亲的照料下，他康复得很快。(Under the care of both parents, he recovered quickly.)

Using 双亲 (shuāngqīn) correctly in a sentence requires an understanding of its grammatical function and its stylistic register. Although it translates to 'both parents', it is not always a one-to-one replacement for the English word 'parents'. In Chinese, nouns can often act as adjectives (attributives) when placed before another noun, usually with or without the possessive particle 的 (de). When functioning as the adjective 'two-parent', it is almost exclusively attached directly to the noun 家庭 (jiātíng - family), creating the compound noun phrase 双亲家庭 (two-parent family). In this specific usage, you do not use 的 (de). You say 双亲家庭, not 双亲的家庭. This is because it has become a fixed sociological term. However, when using it as a noun meaning 'both parents', you will often see it as the subject or object of a formal sentence. For example, '双亲健在' (shuāngqīn jiànzài) is a formal idiom meaning 'both parents are alive and healthy'. You might also see it in prepositional phrases, such as '在双亲的陪同下' (zài shuāngqīn de péitóng xià), meaning 'accompanied by both parents'. It is important to note that because 双亲 inherently means 'both parents', you never need to add the number two (两 or 二) in front of it. Saying 两双亲 is grammatically incorrect and redundant. Furthermore, it is rarely used with plural markers like 们 (men). You do not say 双亲们 because the word '双' already dictates plurality. The usage of this word instantly elevates the formality of your Chinese. It shows that you are not just capable of casual conversation, but that you can navigate written texts, news broadcasts, and formal discussions about family demographics. Let us look at several examples of how this word integrates into different sentence structures, from simple attributive uses to more complex formal declarations.
Attributive Usage
When modifying 'family' (家庭), it acts as an adjective meaning 'two-parent'. This is a direct noun-adjunct relationship without the particle 的.
Noun Usage
When used as a noun, it serves as the subject or object, referring collectively to the mother and father in a highly respectful tone.
No Plural Markers
Because the word inherently contains the concept of 'two', it never takes plural markers like 们, nor does it take numerical classifiers like 两个.

政府为双亲家庭提供税务减免。(The government provides tax deductions for two-parent families.)

这份文件需要双亲共同签署。(This document requires the joint signature of both parents.)

由于双亲工作繁忙，他由祖母抚养长大。(Because both parents were busy with work, he was raised by his grandmother.)

我们致力于支持非传统的和传统的双亲结构。(We are dedicated to supporting non-traditional and traditional two-parent structures.)

他每年春节都会回老家探望双亲。(Every Spring Festival, he returns to his hometown to visit both his parents.)

You might be wondering, if everyone just says 爸妈 (bàmā) or 父母 (fùmǔ) in daily life, where do you actually encounter the word 双亲 (shuāngqīn)? The answer lies in the division between spoken Chinese (口语, kǒuyǔ) and written/formal Chinese (书面语, shūmiànyǔ). You will encounter this word frequently in news broadcasts, especially those related to social issues, demographics, education, and child welfare. For instance, a news anchor discussing the impact of family structures on childhood development will almost certainly use the terms 双亲家庭 (two-parent family) and 单亲家庭 (single-parent family). It is standard terminology in sociology and psychology papers published in Chinese. You will also see it on official forms. When you enroll a child in school in China, Taiwan, or Singapore, the registration forms may have sections labeled 双亲资料 (information of both parents). In medical settings, family history questionnaires might ask about the health status of your 双亲. Furthermore, this word has a strong presence in literature, both classical and modern. In Chinese culture, filial piety (孝道, xiàodào) is a core value, and literature often speaks of honoring one's parents using elevated, respectful language. An author writing a biography might state that the protagonist 'was raised by loving 双亲'. You will also hear it in formal speeches, such as a wedding where the bride or groom formally thanks their 双亲 for raising them. While it is not a word you need for ordering food or chatting with a taxi driver, it is absolutely essential for anyone looking to achieve professional fluency, read Chinese newspapers, or understand official documents. It bridges the gap between basic conversational vocabulary and advanced, educated discourse.
News and Media
Standard terminology used by journalists and news anchors when reporting on demographic trends, family policies, and child psychology.
Official Documents
Appears on census forms, school registration papers, hospital intake forms, and legal contracts requiring parental consent.
Literature and Speeches
Used to elevate the tone of the text, conveying deep respect and formal acknowledgment of the parental unit in biographies and formal addresses.

新闻报道指出，双亲家庭的比例正在发生变化。(The news report points out that the proportion of two-parent families is changing.)

请在表格下方填写您双亲的联系方式。(Please fill in the contact information for both parents at the bottom of the form.)

在婚礼上，新郎向双亲敬茶。(At the wedding, the groom served tea to both parents.)

这部小说描写了一个失去双亲的孤儿的成长历程。(This novel describes the growth journey of an orphan who lost both parents.)

人口普查数据显示了双亲家庭的经济状况。(Census data shows the economic status of two-parent families.)

When English speakers learn the word 双亲 (shuāngqīn), several common mistakes tend to occur due to direct translation habits and misunderstandings of Chinese grammatical registers. The most frequent error is redundancy. Because the English word 'parents' is plural, learners often try to force Chinese plural markers or numbers onto the word. You will hear students say '我的两个双亲' (my two both-parents) or '我的双亲们' (my both-parents-es). Both of these are grammatically incorrect and sound very unnatural to a native speaker. The character 双 already means 'a pair', so the plurality is built into the word itself. Another major mistake is a mismatch in register. Using extremely formal words in casual settings can make you sound robotic or overly dramatic. If a classmate asks you who you live with, and you reply '我跟我的双亲住在一起' (I live with my both-parents), it sounds as strange as saying 'I reside with my maternal and paternal guardians' in English. In casual conversation, you should always use 爸妈 (bàmā) or 父母 (fùmǔ). Furthermore, learners sometimes confuse 双亲 with 亲戚 (qīnqi), which means relatives in general. While parents are relatives, 双亲 strictly refers to the father and mother unit. Lastly, when using it as an adjective to describe a family, learners sometimes insert unnecessary particles, saying 双亲的家庭 instead of the fixed compound noun 双亲家庭. By avoiding these common pitfalls, your Chinese will sound much more natural and native-like.
The Redundancy Error
Adding numbers like 两个 (two) or plural markers like 们 (men) to a word that inherently means 'a pair'. Never say 两个双亲.
The Register Mismatch
Using this highly formal, bureaucratic, or literary word in casual daily conversation instead of the natural 爸妈 or 父母.
The Particle Error
Inserting the possessive/descriptive particle 的 between 双亲 and 家庭. It should be a direct compound: 双亲家庭.

错误 (Wrong): 我爱我的两个双亲。
正确 (Right): 我爱我的父母。

错误 (Wrong): 这是一个双亲的家庭。
正确 (Right): 这是一个双亲家庭。

错误 (Wrong): 昨天我和双亲去看了电影。
正确 (Right): 昨天我和爸妈去看了电影。

错误 (Wrong): 他的双亲们都很高。
正确 (Right): 他的父母都很高。

错误 (Wrong): 我有三个双亲。
正确 (Right): (This makes no logical sense as the word strictly means a pair of parents).

The Chinese language is rich with vocabulary to describe family members, reflecting the deep cultural importance of the family unit. When it comes to the concept of 'parents', there is a spectrum of words ranging from highly informal to extremely formal. Understanding these alternatives will help you choose the right word for the right situation. The most direct alternative to 双亲 is 父母 (fùmǔ), which is the standard, everyday word for 'parents'. It is composed of the characters for father (父) and mother (母) and is suitable for almost all contexts, both spoken and written. For very casual, intimate conversations, people use 爸妈 (bàmā), which translates to 'mom and dad'. In older, more traditional, or rural contexts, you might hear 爹娘 (diēniáng), though this is increasingly rare in modern urban Chinese and is mostly found in historical dramas or literature. When describing family structures, the direct opposite of 双亲 is 单亲 (dānqīn), meaning 'single-parent'. You will often see these two words used together in sociological comparisons. Another related word is 亲人 (qīnrén), which means 'family members' or 'loved ones' in a broader sense, encompassing not just parents but grandparents, siblings, and close relatives. Finally, 家长 (jiāzhǎng) is an important alternative; it translates to 'head of the household' or 'guardian' and is the standard term used by schools to refer to a student's parents or guardians, regardless of the family structure.
父母 (fùmǔ)
The most common and versatile word for parents. Safe to use in both casual conversation and formal writing.
爸妈 (bàmā)
Highly informal and intimate. Used primarily in spoken language when referring to one's own parents or speaking to close friends.
家长 (jiāzhǎng)
Used specifically in the context of schools and education to mean 'parents/guardians of a student'.

对比: 双亲 (Formal/Academic) vs 父母 (Standard/Universal).

对比: 双亲家庭 (Two-parent family) vs 单亲家庭 (Single-parent family).

对比: 双亲 (Both parents specifically) vs 亲人 (Relatives/Family members in general).

对比: 感谢双亲的养育之恩 (Formal speech) vs 谢谢爸妈 (Casual speech).

对比: 双亲 (Biological or adoptive parents) vs 家长 (Legal guardians in an educational context).

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Examples by Level

1

表格上写着“双亲”。

The form says 'both parents'.

Used as a noun on a form.

2

这是双亲的名字。

These are the names of both parents.

Simple possessive use.

3

你需要双亲签字。

You need both parents to sign.

Used as a subject noun.

4

他没有双亲。

He does not have both parents.

Simple negation.

5

双亲都在家。

Both parents are at home.

Subject of a simple sentence.

6

我爱我的双亲。

I love both my parents.

Object of the verb love.

7

双亲很高兴。

Both parents are happy.

Subject with a simple adjective.

8

看到双亲，他笑了。

Seeing both parents, he smiled.

Object of the verb see.

1

这是一个双亲家庭。

This is a two-parent family.

Used as an adjective modifying family.

2

双亲家庭很常见。

Two-parent families are very common.

Subject noun phrase.

3

他和双亲住在一起。

He lives with both parents.

Used with the preposition 和 (with).

4

双亲家庭的孩子很幸福。

Children of two-parent families are very happy.

Complex noun phrase with 的.

5

学校支持双亲家庭。

The school supports two-parent families.

Object of the verb support.

6

这不是单亲，是双亲。

This is not single-parent, it is two-parent.

Contrasting with single-parent.

7

双亲都很忙。

Both parents are very busy.

Using 都 (both/all) for emphasis.

8

他的双亲在医院工作。

Both his parents work in the hospital.

Subject indicating occupation.

1

在现代社会，双亲家庭的结构正在发生变化。

In modern society, the structure of two-parent families is changing.

Used in a sociological context.

2

教育孩子需要双亲的共同努力。

Educating children requires the joint effort of both parents.

Modifying 'joint effort'.

3

由于双亲工作繁忙，他从小就很独立。

Because both parents were busy with work, he was very independent from a young age.

Used in a cause-and-effect sentence.

4

这项调查主要针对城市里的双亲家庭。

This survey is mainly aimed at two-parent families in the city.

Object of a prepositional phrase.

5

他每年都会抽时间陪伴年迈的双亲。

Every year he makes time to accompany his elderly parents.

Modified by the adjective 'elderly'.

6

双亲的陪伴对青少年的心理健康至关重要。

The companionship of both parents is crucial to the mental health of teenagers.

Subject of a complex sentence.

7

与单亲家庭相比，双亲家庭有不同的挑战。

Compared to single-parent families, two-parent families have different challenges.

Used in a comparative structure.

8

政府出台了新政策来帮助低收入的双亲家庭。

The government introduced new policies to help low-income two-parent families.

Modified by 'low-income'.

1

该研究深入探讨了双亲家庭中角色分配的演变。

The study delves into the evolution of role allocation in two-parent families.

Academic register usage.

2

在传统的中国文化中，孝敬双亲被视为最重要的美德。

In traditional Chinese culture, filial piety towards both parents is considered the most important virtue.

Cultural and formal context.

3

即使在双亲家庭中，缺乏有效沟通也会导致家庭危机。

Even in two-parent families, a lack of effective communication can lead to family crises.

Conditional complex sentence.

4

这份法律文件明确规定了双亲在抚养权上的同等义务。

This legal document clearly stipulates the equal obligations of both parents regarding custody.

Legal register usage.

5

作者在自传中深情地回忆了已故的双亲。

In his autobiography, the author affectionately recalled his deceased parents.

Literary register usage.

6

经济压力迫使许多双亲家庭中的父母双方都必须全职工作。

Economic pressure forces both parents in many two-parent families to work full-time.

Complex noun phrase.

7

社会福利系统应当为面临困境的双亲家庭提供更多的支持网络。

The social welfare system should provide more support networks for two-parent families facing difficulties.

Formal policy recommendation.

8

统计数据显示，双亲家庭的比例在过去十年中略有下降。

Statistical data shows that the proportion of two-parent families has slightly decreased over the past decade.

Statistical reporting.

1

在探讨人口老龄化问题时，赡养双亲的责任分配成为了社会关注的焦点。

When discussing the issue of population aging, the allocation of responsibility for supporting both parents has become a focus of social attention.

Advanced sociological discourse.

2

该法案的修订旨在消除对非传统双亲家庭结构的制度性歧视。

The amendment of the bill aims to eliminate institutional discrimination against non-traditional two-parent family structures.

Advanced legal and political context.

3

文学作品中对双亲形象的塑造，往往折射出特定时代的伦理价值观。

The portrayal of the image of both parents in literary works often reflects the ethical values of a specific era.

Literary critique.

4

心理学界对于双亲教养方式的一致性如何影响儿童人格发展有着广泛的共识。

There is a broad consensus in the field of psychology on how the consistency of both parents' child-rearing styles affects the development of a child's personality.

Academic psychological context.

5

在宏观经济波动的背景下，双亲家庭的抗风险能力通常优于单一收入家庭。

In the context of macroeconomic fluctuations, the risk resistance of two-parent families is usually superior to that of single-income families.

Economic analysis.

6

他以极其克制的笔触，记录了双亲在动荡岁月中所经历的苦难与坚韧。

With extremely restrained brushstrokes, he recorded the suffering and resilience experienced by both parents during the turbulent years.

Advanced literary expression.

7

跨文化研究表明，不同文化背景下对“双亲”角色的期望存在显著差异。

Cross-cultural studies indicate that there are significant differences in the expectations of the 'two-parent' roles across different cultural backgrounds.

Cross-cultural academic study.

8

社会工作者在介入家庭纠纷时，必须中立地评估双亲双方的诉求与责任。

When intervening in family disputes, social workers must neutrally assess the demands and responsibilities of both parents.

Professional protocol description.

1

纵观历史长河，儒家思想中“侍奉双亲”的孝道观念深刻地塑造了中华民族的集体潜意识。

Looking throughout the long river of history, the Confucian concept of filial piety in 'serving both parents' has profoundly shaped the collective subconscious of the Chinese nation.

Highly formal philosophical discourse.

2

在复杂的家族信托架构中，双亲作

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