Posted by Anne Q. on November 22, 2019.
June 19, 1910, marked the first Father’s Day celebration in the U.S. with the purpose of honoring fathers living throughout the city of Spokane, Washington. Father’s Day has been annually celebrated on the third Sunday of June in America ever since. Nowadays, over 111 countries in the world observe this celebration by holding parties, camping or simply giving cards and gifts to their fathers.
To celebrate Father’s Day this year, let’s learn some ways to say “Father” in different Asian languages.
Table of Contents
1. Vietnam
In Vietnam, each region has its own ways to say “Father”.
– Northern Vietnam: Bố, Ba, Cha, Thầy, Cậu
– Central Vietnam: Ba
– Southern Vietnam: Ba, Tía
Traditionally, fathers were at the top of the Vietnamese family hierarchy so children usually called them “Thầy” or “Cậu” to show the utmost respect. Nowadays, “Bố” and “Ba” are the two most common words for father using everywhere in Vietnam. These words are more endearing and friendlier, yet respectful.
It was not until the early 2010s that Vietnamese people started to celebrate Father’s Day. They throw small parties or give cards and gifts to their fathers on the third Sunday of June.
2. Japan
Oto-san (お父さん), Papa (パパ), Oyaji (親父), Oto-chan (おとちゃん), To-chan (とちゃん), To-san (父さん), Chichi (父)
In Japan, most people use “Oto-san” which is a formal and polite word to call their father. While “Chichi” is used to refer to one’s father when they talk to someone else, “Oyaji” (Old man) is an informal way for sons to call their fathers.
Japanese people observe Father’s Day on the third Sunday of June.
3. China
Baba (爸爸); Fuquin (父亲), Ye-cha (爷)
Attaching importance to tradition and family hierarchy, Chinese people prefer using “Fuquin” or “Ye-cha” – the most respectful forms to call their fathers.
In Mainland China, Father’s day was once celebrated on August 8 to honour fathers who died during World War II. Today, it is not considered as a national holiday, so just a minority of people in China celebrate Father’s Day.
4. Korean
Aboji (아버지), Appa (아빠), Abeoji (아버지)
Korean people don’t celebrate Mother’s Day and Father’s Day separately. Instead, they observe Parents’ Day on May 8th.
5. The Philippines
Tatay, Itay, Tatang, Papa, Dadi, Dad
Due to the American influence and the proclamation of President Corazon Aquino in 1988, the Philippines celebrates Father’s Day on the third Sunday of June like most countries in the world.
6. Thai
Ph̀x (พ่อ), Bidā (บิดา), P̌ā (ป๋า), Khuṇ ph̀x (คุณพ่อ)
The birthday of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) (December 5) is set as Father’s Day in Thailand. In the past, Thai people gave their father or grandfather canna flowers (ดอกพุทธรักษา Dok Buddha Raksa) – the symbol of Nowadays, people don’t practice Father’s Day anymore.
7. Indonesia
Bapa, Ayah, Pak, Papa
In Indonesia, Father’s Day was first declared back in 2006. A group of hundreds of people gathered in Solo City Hall and celebrated this occasion together. Today, it is held on November 12 every year but does not attract many people’s involvement.
8. India
Baap (बाप), Pita (पिता)
In India, there is no such celebration day called Father’s Day. It is only celebrated in some big cities such as Mumbai, New Delhi, Kanpur, etc. by Westernized citizens. Children in these cities will buy cards, books, or coffee cards for their fathers.
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FAQs
What is the Asian word for father? ›
Attaching importance to tradition and family hierarchy, Chinese people prefer using “Fuquin” or “Ye-cha” – the most respectful forms to call their fathers.
How do Japanese call fathers Day? ›Father's Day, known as chichi no hi in Japan is set on the third Sunday of June every year, and this year happens to falls on Sunday 16th June, the same date as in the UK, unlike Mother's Day which Japanese people celebrate on the second Sunday of May each year, instead of the fourth Sunday of Lent as is common in the ...
Does Chichi mean father? ›Chichi (父 / ちち) is the humble way to say father in Japanese. It is typically used when speaking about your father to somebody else. It can also mean father in a general context, like how it is used in chichi no hi (父の日 / ちちのひ) or Father's Day.
How do you say Happy father's Day in other languages? ›Happy Father's Day Translated in Other Languages
French: Bonne fête Papa! German: Alles Gute zum Vatertag! or Frohen Vatertag! Italian: Buona festa del papà! Portuguese: Feliz dia dos pais!
Baba – ばば – This is a very insulting and rude way to say, “Old lady.” This ugly tern is commonly used in Japanese anime and television shows. The insult is mostly used in an ironic manner in order to be funny.
What languages use APPA for dad? ›Appa means dad in Tamil and in Korean :) Eomma in Korean means mom.
What is fathers Day in Chinese? ›“Happy Father's Day” in Chinese is “父亲节快乐 (fù qīn jié kuài lè)!”
What is father's Day in Korea? ›Father's Day in Korea
Korea does not celebrate Fathers' Day separately. When Mother's Day was established, considerations towards also creating a Father's Day. This led to the new designation of May 8th as Parents' Day instead of just Mother's Day.
Thais celebrate National Father's Day on December 5 every year. It is a national holiday in Thailand where schools and businesses are closed. This day celebrates fatherhood across the country.
What Oyaji means? ›Dajare are also associated with oyaji gags (親父ギャグ, oyaji gyagu), oyaji meaning "old man", as an "old man" would be considered by the younger generation most likely to attempt dajare, making them a near equivalent of what would be called "dad jokes" in English.
What is your father name in China? ›
Just like in English, father (父親 fùmǔ) and mother (母親 mǔqīn) are more formal words. Most children call their dad 爸爸 (bàba) or, even more casually, 爸 (bà), and call their mom 媽媽 (māma) or simply 媽 (mā).
What Japanese name means father? ›Otou-san is the most common, broadly usable phrase for father/dad in Japanese.
What is Happy Fathers Day in Hawaiian? ›Hau`oli La Makuakane (Happy Father's Day) to all of the new and experienced Father's out there, we're so grateful for what you do each day!
What countries say papa for dad? ›Russian, Swedish, Spanish, Norwegian, Portuguese, Persian, Latin, Japanese, Korean, Hungarian, Hindi, German, French, Icelandic and Dutch all have a version of the word papa, or papi.
Do Japanese say papa? ›The modern Japanese word for "father", chichi, is from older titi (but papa is more common colloquially in modern Japanese).
Does Baba mean daddy? ›Baba means father in several African languages in Southern Africa like Shona and in West African languages such as Yoruba. Baba "father, grandfather, wise old man, sir";) is an honorific term, of Persian origin, used in several West Asian and South Asian cultures.
Is there a word for daddy in Japanese? ›パパ（Papa）- Papa, Daddy
パパ(papa) is similar in Japanese to daddy. The majority of people who use it are young children—or perhaps their parents. Like otou-chan, the word papa is considered “cute” and casual.
Parents in Korean
“Dad” in Korean: 아빠 (appa) “Father” in Korean: 아버지 (abeoji) “Mom” in Korean: 엄마 (eomma)
Amma and appa — denoting mother and father in the Korean language too — are among the first words Korean children learn.
What is baba jie in Chinese? ›(Baba Jie means 八八节 or 爸爸节: 'August 8th Day' or 'Fathers' Day'.)
Is it fathers Day in Japan? ›
Father's Day in Japan is celebrated on the third Sunday of every June.
Is there fathers Day in Japan? ›Like in the UK, Father's Day in Japan is celebrated on the third Sunday of June – so in 2021, it falls on the 20th. Many families celebrate with a special meal, and Japanese children usually give their dads a small Father's Day gift, typically consisting of food, clothes or alcohol.
What is father's Day in Myanmar? ›| Gregorian calendar | ||
|---|---|---|
| Occurrence | Dates | Country |
| Burmese calendar | ||
| Occurrence | Equivalent Gregorian dates | Country/territory |
| Full Moon Day of Tabaung | in February or March 16 March 2022 6 March 2023 24–25 March 2024 | Myanmar (Father's Day) |
Fathers' Day (Día del Padre) is celebrated to honor fathers and male parental figures in Mexico on the third Sunday of June.
What Day is International fathers Day? ›Father's Day 2022: Date
In most parts of the world, including India, Father's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June. This year, it falls on June 19. In countries, including Spain and Portugal, Father's Day is observed on August 8.
Father's Day is not a public holiday. It falls on Sunday, June 18, 2023 and most businesses follow regular Sunday opening hours in Hong Kong. Father's Day celebrates fatherhood and male parenting.
Is there fathers Day in Russia? ›Russia. While Mother's Day is celebrated in November in Russia, Father's Day is much earlier during the calendar year, held every Feb. 23.
Do they have fathers Day in Russia? ›While widely celebrated in Russia, Father's Day remains an unofficial holiday.
What is daiji? ›Daiji, a set of kanji for numerals used in legal and financial documents to prevent forgeries.
What is a Nekojita? ›Nekojita, 猫舌 (cat tongue)
The Japanese have a word for this and its nekojita (猫舌) or “cat's tongue.” While it might sound similar, this Japanese word has no relation to the English idiom “cat got your tongue.” It simply means food or a drink is too hot (not to be confused with too spicy) for you to eat.
What is nanaji in Japanese? ›
“Nanaji” is it. nanaji ni kite kudasai – 七時に来てください (ななじにきてください) : Please come at seven o'clock.
How do you say dad in Cantonese? ›1- 我係你爸爸 Meaning: I am your father.
Do Chinese take their husband's last name? ›China. Traditionally, unlike in anglophone Western countries, a married woman keeps her name unchanged, without adopting her husband's surname. In mainland China a child inherits their father's surname as a norm, though the marriage law explicitly states that a child may use either parent's surname.
Can you name your child in China? ›Chinese parents technically can choose any name they'd like for their kids. That said, people are encouraged to choose baby names that can easily be read or scanned by a computer on a Resident Identity Card, the country's official identification document.
Is Baba a Japanese name? ›Baba can be a surname in a few cultures such as Japanese, Assyrian, Russian, etc. It is also a nickname for father in a few languages. Baba also translates to "father" in the Arabic and Shona languages.
What does Yuri mean in Japanese? ›Borrowed from Japanese 百合 (yuri, “lily”), by analogy to 薔薇 (bara, “rose”), indicating love.
What do Hawaiians call dad? ›"Makuakāne” the Hawaiian word for father, daddy, dad, or pa.
Who is Papa in Hawaii? ›In the religion and mythology of the ancient Hawaiians, Papahānaumoku (pronunciation: [pɑːpɑːˈhɑːnaʊmoʊku]) — often simply called Papa — is a goddess and the Earth Mother. She is mentioned in the chants as the consort of the sky god Wākea.
What are other names for dad? ›- father.
- daddy.
- papa.
- poppa.
- pa.
- stepfather.
- pop.
- pater.
...
Saying Father In Different Languages.
| Language | Father |
|---|---|
| Galician | Pai |
| German | Vater or Papa |
| Hebrew | Abba (h) |
| Hindi | Papa or Pita-ji [पिता, पिताजी, पिताश्री] |
How do French kids say dad? ›
'The father' in French is “le père”.
What language is baba for dad? ›The Middle Eastern word baba (as in Ali Baba) is rather a term of endearment, and is ultimately derived from Persian بابا (bābā, “father”) (from Old Persian pāpa; as opposed to the Arabic words أَبُو (ʾabū) and أَب (ʾab); see also Papak), and is linguistically related to the common European word papa and the word pope, ...
How do you say father in Pakistan? ›Father: Abba OR "Abbu" OR Baba, Formal: Waalid.
What are the different ways to call father in the Philippines? ›Philippines. Figuratively speaking, fathers are called “haligi ng tahanan” in the Philippines, which is literally translated as “the pillar of the home” that provides strength and support.
What do Japanese call their dad? ›2. Japan. In Japan, most people use “Oto-san” which is a formal and polite word to call their father. While “Chichi” is used to refer to one's father when they talk to someone else, “Oyaji” (Old man) is an informal way for sons to call their fathers.
What do Koreans call their dads? ›Parents in Korean
“Dad” in Korean: 아빠 (appa) “Father” in Korean: 아버지 (abeoji)
The standard word for “father” in Korean is 아버지 (abeoji). You can use this word when talking about your own father, but instead of saying “my father,” you should say “our father,” which is 우리 아버지 (uri abeoji) in Korean.
What is the Korean word Appa? ›Appa means Dad in Korean. For all the Dad's out there! This is a Korean culture favorite dish.
Do Japanese say mama and papa? ›Children call out to their parents using two very standard words: ママ (mama) and パパ (papa). The words we use to refer to our parents are an interesting thing.
How do you say daddy in every language? ›...
Saying Father In Different Languages.
| Language | Father |
|---|---|
| English | Father, Dad, Daddy, Pop, Poppa or Papa |
| Filipino | Tatay, Itay, Tay or Ama |
| French | Papa |
| Galician | Pai |
Why do Koreans call father Appa? ›
Why do Koreans call father Appa? 📁 Appa or 아빠 means father or dad in korean. It is the casual way of calling your dad.
What is Haraboji? ›할아버지 (harabeoji) – grandpa.
How do you say dad in K? ›Abeoji / Abba (아버지/ 아빠): The first term is the formal way of saying father, and the second term is the informal way of saying the same (dad).
Is it Abuji or Abeoji? ›1. 아버지 (abeoji) The standard word for “father” in Korean is 아버지 (abeoji). You can use this word when talking about your own father, but instead of saying “my father,” you should say “our father,” which is 우리 아버지 (uri abeoji) in Korean.
What is Umma and Appa? ›It depicts the Korean Canadian Kim family that runs a convenience store in the Moss Park neighbourhood of Toronto: parents "Appa" (Paul Sun-Hyung Lee) and "Umma" (Jean Yoon) – Korean for dad and mom, respectively – along with their daughter Janet (Andrea Bang) and estranged son Jung (Simu Liu).
What does Appa mean in Arabic? ›appa in Korean, Arabic, Hungarian and several Indian dialects, is similar to the word meaning father or dad.