Definition
父 (fǔ) is a bound morpheme meaning 'old man', used exclusively in classical or literary compounds such as 渔父 (old fisherman) and 田父 (old farmer). It is never used alone in modern Mandarin. This reading is distinct from the common fù (father). When you encounter it, it always appears as part of a set phrase or compound, often carrying a respectful or archaic tone.
b.f.
(bound form, literary) old manelder (in respectful compounds)
Examples
- 父。Yú fǔ shì gǔdài wénxué zhōng chángjiàn de xíngxiàng.The old fisherman is a common image in classical literature.
- 《父》。Qū Yuán de 《Yú fǔ》 shì yì piān zhùmíng de wénzhāng.Qu Yuan's 'The Old Fisherman' is a famous piece of writing.
- 父。Zhè wèi yú fǔ zài hé biān jìngjìng de diào yú.This old fisherman is fishing quietly by the river.
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