家庭
私たちの家庭は四人家族です。
Our family consists of four people.
A social unit consisting of parents and their children, living together as a unit.
家庭の問題は複雑です。
Family problems are complex.
彼女は家庭を大切にしています。
She values her family highly.
Often used in contexts like family law, sociology, or general social discourse.
A household; the people living in a single home.
この家庭はペットを飼っています。
This household has a pet.
Can refer to a single nuclear family or a broader group sharing a residence.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Distinguishing 家庭 vs 家族
家庭 refers to the household unit or family as a social entity (e.g., 家庭の問題), while 家族 refers to the members collectively (e.g., 家族写真). Think of 家庭 as the 'family system' and 家族 as the 'family members'.
Gold Rule
Formal vs Informal
家庭 is formal and used in writing or serious contexts. In casual speech, 家族 is more common unless referring to the concept of 'family life' (e.g., 家庭を大事にする).
Word Origin
Composed of 家 (house, home) and 庭 (garden, yard), originally implying a dwelling with a garden. The compound evolved to mean 'family' or 'household' in modern usage.
Usage Notes
家庭 emphasizes the social unit and relationships within a household, while 家族 refers more directly to the members themselves. 家庭 is often used in formal contexts like surveys, policies, or academic discussions.