How to Say ‘Father-in-law’ in Japanese
お義父さん
o tou san
[oh gifu san]
💬 Usage Tip: お義父さん is still read (otōsan), just like "dad". The 義 only shows in writing that he's an in-law.
🇯🇵 In Japan: Many people call their father-in-law お義父さん to his face, as if he were their own dad. Using his first name would sound oddly distant.
Phrase Breakdown
お
o
[oh]
honorific prefix
お adds politeness to certain words and expressions.
チケットを二枚お願いします。
Two tickets, please.
義父
tou
[gifu]
Father-in-law
A term used to refer to one's spouse's father.
私のお義父さんに会います。
I will meet my father-in-law.
さん
san
[san]
Mr.; Ms.; polite suffix
A polite suffix added to a person's name or role.
お医者さんが来ました。
The doctor came.
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