Meaning
Whether you are talking about family or your best friend, the kanji 親 is an essential part of the Japanese vocabulary. While its primary meaning is "parent," it branches out to cover concepts like "closeness" and "familiarity." To grasp this character, look at its three building blocks: 立 (to stand), 木 (tree), and 見 (to see).
A popular and effective mnemonic explains the kanji's structure: a parent is someone who stands (立) on a tree (木) to watch over (見) their child. This image of protective observation defines the essence of a guardian. Beyond biological ties, the character represents emotional warmth. This is why you will find it in words describing kindness or deep friendship.
Technically, this is a 16-stroke character taught in the second grade of Japanese primary school. It uses 見 (the "seeing" radical) on the right side. Mastering this kanji is a major step for N4 learners, as it appears constantly in both formal documents and everyday chats about social circles.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The On'yomi reading is シン (shin). You will encounter this reading mostly in compound words related to formal relationships, psychological states, or social settings. Since the concept of "parents" is central to society, many shin compounds are high-frequency words.
- 両親 (ryoushin) — Both parents
- 親友 (shinyuu) — Best friend (literally: intimate friend)
- 親切 (shinsetsu) — Kind; helpful
- 親近感 (shinkinkan) — A feeling of familiarity or affinity
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The Kun'yomi readings are the workhorses of daily speech. The most common is おや (oya), meaning "parent." When used as an adjective, it becomes した.しい (shita-shii) to describe people who are close. The verb form した.しむ (shita-shimu) means to become well-acquainted with something, like a hobby or a culture.
- 親 (oya) — Parent
- 親しい (shitashii) — Close; intimate; familiar
- 親しむ (shitashimu) — To get to know well; to become familiar with
Common Words & Compounds
The kanji 親 creates several essential word groups. These range from family roles to personality traits.
Family and Relatives
- 父親 / 母親 (chichioya / hahaoya) — Father / Mother (More objective than 'chichi/haha')
- 親戚 (shinseki) — Relatives
- 親子 (oyako) — Parent and child (also seen in oyakodon, the chicken-and-egg bowl)
- 義理の親 (giri no oya) — Parents-in-law
Social Relationships
- 親密 (shinmitsu) — Intimacy; close friendship
- 懇親会 (konshinkai) — Social gathering; networking event
- 親交 (shinkou) — Intimacy; friendship; social relations
Adjectives and Behaviors
- 親切 (shinsetsu) — Kindness; being helpful
- 不親切 (fushinsetsu) — Unkind; unfriendly
- 親しみやすい (shitashimiyasui) — Approachable; friendly; easy to talk to
- 親不孝 (oyafukou) — Lack of filial piety; being a "bad" child to one's parents
Example Sentences
あなたの両親はどこにいますか。
Anata no ryoushin wa doko ni imasu ka.
Where are your parents?
彼は困っている人にとても親切です。
Kare wa komatte iru hito ni totemo shinsetsu desu.
He is very kind to people who are in trouble.
田中さんは私の一番の親友です。
Tanaka-san wa watashi no ichiban no shinyuu desu.
Mr. Tanaka is my very best friend.
母親はいつも子供の健康を心配しています。
Hahaoya wa itsumo kodomo no kenkou wo shinpai shite imasu.
A mother is always worrying about her child's health.
あの二人は、もう10年も親しい仲です。
Ano futari wa, mou juunen mo shitashii naka desu.
Those two have been close for ten years now.
お正月には親戚がみんな集まります。
Oshougatsu ni wa shinseki ga minna atsumarimasu.
All the relatives gather together for the New Year.
この本を読んで、日本の文化に親しんでください。
Kono hon wo yonde, Nihon no bunka ni shitashinde kudasai.
Please read this book and familiarize yourself with Japanese culture.
父親の誕生びにネクタイをプレゼントしました。
Chichioya no tanjoubi ni nekutai wo purezento shimashita.
I gave my father a necktie as a birthday present.
Related Kanji
- 家 — House, Home, Family (Kanji N4)
- 弟 — Younger Brother, Junior (Kanji N4)
- 明 — Bright, Clear, Light (Kanji N4)
- 妹 — Younger Sister (Kanji N4)
- 族 — Tribe, Clan, Family Group (Kanji N4)
- 地 — Ground, Earth, Land (Kanji N4)
Memory Tip
Think of the components as a story: A person is standing (立) on top of a tree (木) so they can see (見) further. Why are they there? It is a parent (親) waiting for their child to walk home. This high vantage point allows them to watch over the person they are most intimate (親) with. This mnemonic perfectly links the physical parts of the kanji to its meaning of protective, close-knit family ties.