Question

[ninjacatman]

Hi all, I just wanted to ask this without checking first,
to see if I truly understand some things.

If I was to say: My name is Stephan, this is my father.
Watashi no namae wa Stephan desu, 'this' wa watashi no otosama.

is that somewhat correct? (I don't know the word 'this' in Japanese)

 

[ninjacatman]

I know what 'sama' means, but if you knew my father, you would know
that I wouldn't use any other term; he is a great man!

 

[nice gaijin]

"this" has many meanings in English, so there are many translations for it in Japanese. When introducing someone, you would use "kono kata."

Despite how you feel about your dad, it's still strange to say "otosama." Also, you still need "desu" at the end of your second sentence to maintain the same level of politeness.

 

[FinancialWar]

kochira wa watashi no chichi desu.

 

[ninjacatman]

So I would say "... kono kata watashi no odosan desu." ?

 

[Ashikaga]

kochira wa watashi no chichi desu.

Instead of "kochira", you just use the simple "kore" here. "Kochira"(when talking about a person) is reserved for those you wish to show respect for and be polite toward. Yes, most of us respect our fathers, but he is your family, a part of YOU, so it is not appropriate to use "kochira". Always remember to place the others high and yourself and your family low when using the polite speech.

So I would say "... kono kata watashi no odosan desu." ?

I think what you meant was "....kono kata wa watashi no otousan desu.".

For the same reason as above, you don't refer to a member of your family as "kata". Just use "kore". While you hear people refer to their fathers as
"otousan" quite often, I would strongly recommend that you use "chichi" as suggested by warakawa, IF you want to sound like an intelligent adult.

 

[ninjacatman]

so 'chichi', huh? what is the difference between chichi and otousan?

 

[Ryan-]

You can actually use これ with people? Is the level of politeness then これ → この人 → こちら → このかた？


And isn't 私のちち kind of redundant? Would you ever use ちち to talk about a father other than your own?

 

[Imposter253]

so 'chichi', huh? what is the difference between chichi and otousan?

chichi means "my father" otousan is "your father" or "father" in general.
anata no otousan wa genki desu ka? 'is you father well?'
chichi ha ii desu. 'my dad's fine'

Also, I've recently heard (what sounded like) "chichime" and "hahame" to refer to ones parents. What is the exact usage of these words if they exist and I'm not just crazy?

 

[Ashikaga]

chichi means "my father" otousan is "your father" or "father" in general.
anata no otousan wa genki desu ka? 'is you father well?'
chichi ha ii desu. 'my dad's fine'

You should go with "Chichi wa genki desu". We don't say "ii desu" for "(a person) is fine/well".

Also, I've recently heard (what sounded like) "chichime" and "hahame" to refer to ones parents. What is the exact usage of these words if they exist and I'm not just crazy?

You've probably heard "chichi-ue / haha-ue". Those are the archaic equivalents of "Otousama / Okaasama". You are not likely to hear these used by anyone these days, though.

 

[ninjacatman]

so I suppose I should just stick with otousan huh.

 

[Toritoribe]

If you want to be treated as an elementary school child, go ahead. :122:

 

[Elizabeth]

so I suppose I should just stick with otousan huh.

Either that or "chichioya," which is a more generic word for father. IF you're talking with close friends who do the same thing and no one considers it childish.

でも。。。人はみな、性格がちがうね。。

 

[ninjacatman]

So... would I say, kono kata watashi no chichi desu ?

 

[Ashikaga]

So... would I say, kono kata watashi no chichi desu ?

(See the post #6) Kore wa/ga watashi no chichi desu.ﾂ