Japanese symbol for “parents”
両親
りょうしん
Romaji: ryoushin
parents; both parents
In Japanese, parents is 両親, read りょうしん (ryoushin).
Before using these characters for a tattoo, check them with a native speaker. Dictionary words often have several meanings, and the right choice depends on context.
Meanings
- n parents; both parents
Written forms: 両親. Readings: りょうしん、ふたおや.
Kanji and stroke order
both, old Japanese coin, counter for carriages (e.g., in a train)
on: リョウ
kun: てる、ふたつ
kun: てる、ふたつ
6 strokes · JLPT 2
Other Japanese words for “parents”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 親 | おや oya | parent; parents; mother and father |
| 父母 | ふぼ fubo | father and mother; parents |
| 親御 | おやご oyago | (another's) parents |
| 父兄 | ふけい fukei | guardians; parents |
| ご両親 | ごりょうしん goryoushin | (someone else's) parents; both parents |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 車両 | しゃりょう sharyou | (wheeled) vehicle; car; (railroad) car |
| 両方 | りょうほう ryouhou | both; both sides; both parties |
| 両手 | りょうて ryoute | both hands; both arms |
| 両者 | りょうしゃ ryousha | pair; the two; both persons |
| 両面 | りょうめん ryoumen | both sides; two sides; double-sided |
| 母親 | ははおや hahaoya | mother |
| 父親 | ちちおや chichioya | father |
| 親子 | おやこ oyako | parent and child |
See also: Chinese symbol for “parents”.
Data: JMdict (CC BY-SA 4.0); KANJIDIC2 (CC BY-SA 4.0); KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0); wordfreq (CC BY-SA 4.0 (data)). Retrieved 2026-10-22.