Translation guide
The Confucian virtue of respect, obedience, and care for one's parents and ancestors. In Japanese, this is most commonly expressed with the word 親孝行 (oyakoukou), but the concept also appears in formal terms like 孝 (kou) and 孝行 (koukou).
Expressing the general concept of being a good, devoted son or daughter
Describing the action of doing something for one's parents out of filial piety
The most natural way to say 'to perform an act of filial piety' or 'to be good to one's parents'.
たまには親孝行をしなきゃね。
I should do something nice for my parents once in a while.
Referring to a person who is filial
A natural way to describe a filial person.
彼女は本当に親孝行な人だ。
She is a truly filial person.
Filial piety (親孝行) is deeply rooted in Japanese culture, influenced by Confucianism. It is often associated with caring for aging parents, showing respect, and bringing honor to the family. In modern Japan, while the traditional strict sense may have softened, the expectation to support and respect parents remains strong.
The most common and natural word for filial piety in everyday Japanese. It can be used as a noun or a suru-verb (親孝行する).
親孝行したいです。
I want to be a good son/daughter to my parents.
彼は親孝行な息子だ。
He is a filial son.
A slightly more formal or literary term for filial piety. Often used in set phrases or when speaking about the virtue in a general sense.
孝行の心を大切にしなさい。
Cherish a spirit of filial piety.
A formal, often written term for filial piety, frequently used in compound words or classical contexts.
忠孝を尽くす。
To be loyal and filial.
A more general expression meaning 'to cherish one's parents', which implies filial piety without using the specific term.
親を大切にすることは大事だ。
It's important to cherish your parents.
A more formal term for a filial person, often used in literature or formal speech.
彼は村一番の孝行者だ。
He is the most filial person in the village.