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March 24, 2026
爸bà(ba4)
The character 爸 (bà) means 'father' or 'dad' in Mandarin. It is commonly used in informal contexts to refer to one's dad or in familial discussions. This term conveys a sense of affection and familiarity, often used by children when addressing their fathers.
Strokes8Radical父Frequency#378DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the father figure is traditionally seen as the family's provider and protector. The character 爸 reflects the importance of paternal roles in family dynamics and societal structures.
Memory Tip
Imagine a child looking up to their father, whose sturdy figure is represented by the character 爸. The character's left part (父) looks like a person with arms raised, symbolizing strength and protection, while the right part (巴) resembles a child reaching out for their dad, emphasizing their connection.
Meanings of 爸
bà(ba4)
1father
2dad
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
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About 爸
爸Simplified
8Strokes
父Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#378Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L1TOCFLL1YCTL1
Podcast: 爸
Podcast: 爸
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AI Study Notes for 爸
Quick Contrast
爸 (bà) vs 父 (fù) — use 爸 in casual, affectionate contexts, while 父 is more formal and used in written language.
Usage Notes
Be mindful of the informal nature of 爸; it is not suitable for formal situations. Often, learners mistakenly use it in contexts where a more respectful term like '父亲' (fùqīn) should be used. Common collocations include '爸爸' (bàba, dad) and '我爸爸' (wǒ bàba, my dad).
HSK Study Tips
While 爸 is not on the official HSK list, it connects with family-related vocabulary such as 妈 (mā, mom) and 兄弟 (xiōngdì, brothers). Focus on pronunciation and usage in sentences to reinforce understanding of familial relationships.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 爸 with the more formal 父亲 (fùqīn). For instance, saying '父' instead of '爸' when addressing their own father is incorrect. Always use '爸' in casual contexts.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 爸
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Learning Lab
Knowing 爸 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
爸 = 父 + 巴. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 爸
IDS Structure⿱父巴
爸Full Character
=
父fu4
top
巴Ba1
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 爸?
How to say father in Chinese
“father” in Chinese is爸bà
The character 爸 (bà) means 'father' or 'dad' in Mandarin. It is commonly used in informal contexts to refer to one's dad or in familial discussions. This term conveys a sense of affection and familiarity, often used by children when addressing their fathers.
When to use 爸
Be mindful of the informal nature of 爸; it is not suitable for formal situations. Often, learners mistakenly use it in contexts where a more respectful term like '父亲' (fùqīn) should be used. Common collocations include '爸爸' (bàba, dad) and '我爸爸' (wǒ bàba, my dad).
爸 or something close to it
爸 (bà) vs 父 (fù) — use 爸 in casual, affectionate contexts, while 父 is more formal and used in written language.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 爸 with the more formal 父亲 (fùqīn). For instance, saying '父' instead of '爸' when addressing their own father is incorrect. Always use '爸' in casual contexts.
Write 爸
爸
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Grammar Patterns of 爸
爸 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
wǒ bà bà ǒu ěr huì dào tā de gòng jì huì fēn huì nà lǐ qù。
My father would occasionally go to his Masonic lodge.
11
爸爸每天早上喝咖啡。
Bàba měi tiān zǎoshang hē kāfēi.
Dad drinks coffee every morning.
12
我和爸爸去公园散步。
Wǒ hé bàba qù gōngyuán sànbù.
I go for a walk in the park with my dad.
13
爸爸喜欢看足球比赛。
Bàba xǐhuān kàn zúqiú bǐsài.
Dad likes to watch soccer games.
14
今天是爸爸的生日。
Jīntiān shì bàba de shēngrì.
Today is Dad's birthday.
15
爸爸正在厨房做晚饭。
Bàba zhèngzài chúfáng zuò wǎnfàn.
Dad is in the kitchen making dinner.
16
我和爸爸一起去超市买东西。
Wǒ hé bàba yīqǐ qù chāoshì mǎi dōngxi.
I went to the supermarket with my dad to buy things.
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Cultural Notes for 爸
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, the term 'dad' may imply a more casual relationship, while in Chinese culture, 爸 can embody both affection and respect, depending on context.
Word Family of 爸
Words Containing This Character3
爸爸bàba(informal) father
爸bàdad
阿爸Abba (Aramaic word father)
Exercise 1 of 2
Words with 爸
What does 爸爸 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 爸
No, 爸 is informal. In formal contexts, use 父亲 (fùqīn).
Yes, but be cautious as it may imply a close relationship; it's more appropriate to use 父亲 in formal settings.
It is pronounced as 'bà', with a falling tone.
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