also: きょう
noun
Refers to the Confucian virtue of devotion and respect toward one's parents and ancestors. Often used in compound words like 孝行 (こうこう, filial behavior) rather than as a standalone noun in modern conversation.
See also: 孝行
孝は儒教の大切な教えの一つです。
Filial piety is one of the important teachings of Confucianism.
彼は親孝行で有名だ。
He is famous for his devotion to his parents.
Obsolete kana usage; the reading きょう is no longer standard.
孝行 is the more common term for filial behavior or acts of devotion to parents, while 孝 is the abstract concept of filial piety itself.
From Middle Chinese 孝 (xæ̀w, 'filial piety'). The reading こう is the go-on, while きょう is an obsolete kan'yō-on.