Definition

Noun: - Parents: Refers to both one's father and mother as a pair or unit. This is a formal and respectful term, often used in literary contexts or formal documents.

Usage

• This word is used as a noun to refer to one's parents collectively.
• It carries a formal and slightly literary tone. In everyday conversation, "bố mẹ" or "cha mẹ" are more common.
• It is often used in written Vietnamese, such as in literature, legal documents, or formal announcements.

Examples

• (She is always grateful to her parents.)
• (The document requires information about the applicant's parents.)
• (He takes meticulous care of his parents.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is inherently formal and does not typically form idioms or phrasal verbs in modern usage. Its use is primarily as a standalone noun.
• It can be found in classical literature and poetry, as noted in the reference example:

Variants and Related Words

• Cha mẹ (noun): Parents. This is the standard, neutral term.
• Bố mẹ (noun): Parents. This is the common, colloquial term.
• Phụ mẫu (noun): Parents. This is another formal/literary term, similar in register to "song thân".
• Song đường (noun, literary): A synonym for "song thân", also meaning parents.

Synonyms

• Cha mẹ: Parents.
• Phụ mẫu: Parents (formal).
• Bố mẹ: Parents (informal).

Notes on Meaning

• The word "song" (雙) means "pair" or "couple", and "thân" (親) means "parent" or "dear one". Thus, the term literally means "the pair of dear ones" or "the parental pair".
• It specifically denotes the dual unit of father and mother. It is not used to refer to a single parent.

noun

1. parents