先父 (xiān fù) — (formal, respectful) one's late father, my deceased father

Definition

A highly formal, respectful way to say 'my late father,' used in writing or at solemn occasions such as grave-sweeping. The plain spoken word is 父亲; 先父 is reserved for honoring the deceased.

noun
(formal, respectful) one's late fathermy deceased father

Examples

  • 先父。
    xiān fù Shēng qián cháng jiào dǎo wǒ yào chéng shí shǒu xìn.
    My late father often taught me to be honest and trustworthy.
  • 先父。
    Zhè běn shī jí shì xiān fù liú gěi wǒ de yí wù.
    This poetry collection is a relic left to me by my late father.
  • ，先父。
    Měi féng qīng míng, wǒ dōu huì qù mù qián jì bài xiān fù.
    Every Qingming Festival, I go to the grave to pay respects to my late father.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

先xiānlate
父fùfather

“先” (late) and “父” (father) together refer to a deceased father.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

先 combines 止 (foot) and 儿 (person) to show someone moving forward.

Open 先 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The shape 父 shows a hand holding a stone blade, referring to a man working with a stone axe.

Open 父 →

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.