filial piety

[fil-ee-uhl pahy-i-tee]

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of filial piety¹

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.

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

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Preserving the body is considered an important aspect of filial piety within the context of Confucianism, and that precept encourages long hair, forbids suicide and is interpreted as prohibiting tattoos.

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

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Although three other novels have followed “Please Look After Mom,” her latest, “I Went to See My Father” — translated by Anton Hur — feels like its closest thematic counterpart in its exploration of guilt, regret, parenthood and filial piety in a changing South Korean culture.

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When To Use

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.