Translation guide
In Japanese, there is no single word for 'parents-in-law' as a collective. Instead, you refer to them individually based on whose parents they are and the level of politeness required. The most common approach is to use the humble term for your own spouse's parents or the respectful term for someone else's.
Referring to your own parents-in-law when speaking to someone outside your family or in a formal context.
The most direct and neutral way to say 'parents-in-law' as a pair. It literally means 'parents by marriage' and is used when you need to refer to them collectively.
義理の両親と同居しています。
I live with my parents-in-law.
Father-in-law (humble). Used when talking about your own father-in-law to others.
義理の父は料理が上手です。
My father-in-law is good at cooking.
Mother-in-law (humble). Used when talking about your own mother-in-law to others.
義理の母に手伝ってもらいました。
I got help from my mother-in-law.
A shorter, more formal written form for 'father-in-law'. Less common in casual speech.
義父は医者です。
My father-in-law is a doctor.
A shorter, more formal written form for 'mother-in-law'. Less common in casual speech.
義母は教師です。
My mother-in-law is a teacher.
Referring to your own parents-in-law when talking to your spouse or close family members.
A polite but warm way to address or refer to your father-in-law within the family. The prefix お adds politeness, and さん is a standard honorific.
The reading is the same as 'father' (お父さん), but the kanji 義父 indicates the in-law relationship. In speech, context distinguishes them.
お義父さん、お茶をどうぞ。
Father-in-law, here's some tea.
A polite but warm way to address or refer to your mother-in-law within the family.
Same reading as 'mother' (お母さん), but context and kanji clarify the relationship.
お義母さん、これ美味しいです。
Mother-in-law, this is delicious.
A slightly more explanatory way to say 'father-in-law' within the family, though less common than お義父さん.
義理のお父さんにプレゼントを買いました。
I bought a present for my father-in-law.
A slightly more explanatory way to say 'mother-in-law' within the family.
義理のお母さんと買い物に行きました。
I went shopping with my mother-in-law.
Referring to another person's parents-in-law with respect.
The respectful way to say 'parents-in-law' when talking about someone else's. The prefix ご adds politeness.
山田さんの義理のご両親はどちらにいらっしゃいますか。
Where do Yamada-san's parents-in-law live?
Very respectful term for someone else's father-in-law. お父様 is the honorific form of 'father'.
義理のお父様によろしくお伝えください。
Please give my regards to your father-in-law.
Very respectful term for someone else's mother-in-law.
義理のお母様はお元気ですか。
Is your mother-in-law doing well?
Referring to parents-in-law in official documents or very formal situations.
Literally 'spouse's parents'. Used in legal documents or very formal contexts. Not used in everyday conversation.
配偶者の父母との続柄を記入してください。
Please fill in your relationship with your spouse's parents.
There is no single Japanese word that directly translates to 'parents-in-law' as a collective noun in everyday use. Using 義理の両親 is acceptable but can sound stiff. In most natural conversation, Japanese speakers refer to each in-law individually or use context-dependent terms.
Within the family, it's common to address parents-in-law as お父さん/お母さん (just like your own parents) or by their family role plus さん, e.g., お義父さん. When talking about them to outsiders, use humble forms like 義理の父/母.