家族

kazoku
nounBeginner
formalinformal

Family; a group of people related by blood, marriage, or other close relationships

家族は大切です

Family is important

家族で旅行に行きました

We went on a trip with our family

💡

Can refer to nuclear family (parents and children) or extended family (grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc.)

Collocations

家族会議family meeting家族旅行family trip家族の絆family bonds

Synonyms

Related Phrases

家族愛phrase
family love
家族の絆phrase
family bonds

💡Pro Tip

Family Size

In Japanese, '家族' can refer to both nuclear and extended family, but in everyday conversation, it often means immediate family (parents and children).

Gold Rule

Politeness

When referring to someone else's family, it's polite to use 'ご家族' (go-kazoku) instead of just '家族'.

📖Word Origin

From Middle Chinese 'kʉa-t͡sʰok' meaning 'family'

📝Usage Notes

Often used in both formal and informal contexts. Can be used to refer to one's immediate family or extended family depending on context.

Word Breakdown

house, home
root
+
tribe, group
root
和英辞典