filial piety

American  

[fil-ee-uhl pahy-i-tee] / ˈfɪl i əl ˈpaɪ ɪ ti /

noun

1. (in Confucianism) the important virtue and primary duty of respect, obedience, and care for one's parents and elderly family members.

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Usage

What is filial piety? Filial piety is the Confucian virtue of honoring the elders in your family. In English, we use an older, Latin-based expression to name this social principle of parental respect. Filial generally means “relating to a son or daughter” or “concerning a parent-child relationship.” Piety, here, is “dutiful respect.” Together, filial piety refers to a child’s service towards their parents as well as other older extended relatives. Although the idea of “respecting your elders” exists in many cultures, the phrase filial piety is especially used in the context of respect for the elderly in Chinese families.

Etymology

Origin of filial piety

First recorded in 1610–20

Example Sentences

To embody the idea of filial piety to appeal to the Grand Queen Dowager, Yeon creates doenjang-guk, a traditional soybean paste stew, but adds two special ingredients: spinach and clams.

From Salon • Oct. 26, 2025

For generations, China has relied on filial piety to fill the gaps in elderly care.

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2024

Traditionally, offspring have been expected to support their elders and demonstrate filial piety above all else.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 28, 2023

Sacrificial offerings to parents and other ancestors after their death, for example, cultivate filial piety.

From Textbooks • Jun. 15, 2022

When his uncle came again Wang Lung cried out, “Even filial piety will not feed my house!” and he sent his uncle empty away.

From "The Good Earth" by Pearl S. Buck