🇨🇳 Chinese phrases

How to Say "Father" in Chinese

The SPAIKING TeamJuly 27, 2026
父亲
"Father" in Chinese · say it like foo-cheen

The most natural way to say "Father" in Chinese is 父亲. Tap the speaker above to hear it, then say it back out loud. That is the fastest way to make it stick.

Other ways to say it

爸爸
more casual and affectionate
老爸
informal, often used by younger people

When to use it

Use '父亲' in formal contexts or when showing respect. '爸爸' is suitable for casual conversations, especially with children. '老爸' is very informal and often used among friends or younger people.

Say it out loud, get corrected

Reading it is not the same as saying it. Practice "Father" and thousands more with an AI coach that listens.

Examples in Chinese

ChineseEnglish
我的父亲是一位医生。My father is a doctor.
我很爱我的爸爸。I love my dad very much.
Common mistake
Some learners confuse '父亲' with '爸爸', thinking they are interchangeable in all contexts.

The fastest way to remember it

Vocabulary you only read fades fast. Vocabulary you say out loud sticks. Hear 父亲, repeat it a few times, then use it in a real sentence. SPAIKING lets you practice exactly that, speaking Chinese with a coach that corrects your pronunciation in real time. You can start with two free conversations.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between '父亲' and '爸爸'?

'父亲' is more formal, while '爸爸' is casual and affectionate.

Learn Chinese by speaking it

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