This is the 999th most frequent Japanese word.
親
"Parent" or "parents."
親 is used here to refer to 'parent,' denoting one's mother or father.
彼女はとても優しい親です。
She is a very kind parent.
親 is used metaphorically to describe someone who is respected like a parent.
先輩を親のように尊敬しています。
I respect my senior like a parent.
親 is used in a plural sense to denote 'parents' as caregivers.