thân sinh
Definition
- Noun (formal):
- One's own parents: Refers specifically to the father and mother who gave birth to the speaker or subject. It is a respectful and somewhat literary term.
- One's own father: In specific contexts, it can refer specifically to one's father.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Tôi luôn biết ơn các cụ thân sinh của tôi. (I am always grateful to my parents.)
- Ông thân sinh của anh ấy là một nhà giáo. (His father was a teacher.)
- Bà thân sinh tôi đã dạy tôi bài học đầu tiên. (My mother taught me my first lesson.)
Advanced Usage
- The term is considered formal, respectful, and is often used in written language, obituaries, formal introductions, or when speaking about one's parents with great reverence. It is less common in everyday casual speech.
Variants and Related Words
- Song thân (n): A formal term meaning "both parents," often used in similar contexts as "thân sinh."
- Lễ cưới có sự hiện diện của song thân cô dâu. (The wedding had the presence of the bride's parents.)
Synonyms
- Parents: The general term for one's mother and father.
- Father and mother: A direct reference.
- Progenitors: A very formal term for direct ancestors.
Notes on Meaning
- While the core meaning is "one's parents," the term can be specified for the father or mother using honorifics like "Ông" (Mr./Sir) for father or "Bà" (Mrs./Madam) for mother, as seen in the examples.
- It carries a connotation of biological parenthood and deep respect. It is not typically used for adoptive or stepparents.