Etymology

天 (天生 - natural) + 常 (五常 - the five unchanging relationships)

According to traditional Confucianism, there were five kinds of human relationships (五常) which followed natural (天生) laws and were unchanging:

1. ruler and subject (君臣)
2. father and son (父子)
3. husband and wife (夫婦)
4. older brother and younger brother (兄弟)
5. friends (朋友)

Pronunciation