Translation guide
The English word 'family' covers several related concepts: the nuclear family unit, one's relatives, a household, and figurative uses. Japanese uses different words depending on the context, and the choice often reflects social distance (in-group vs. out-group).
Referring to the group of people you live with and are closely related to, typically parents and children.
The most common word for 'family' in the sense of the nuclear family or household. Use this when talking about your own family to others. It implies closeness and shared living.
私の家族は4人です。
My family has four members.
家族と一緒に住んでいます。
I live with my family.
Refers to 'family' as a social unit or 'home' environment. Often used in contexts like 'family life', 'family budget', or 'family environment'. Not used to say 'my family' as a group of people.
家庭の事情で休みます。
I'm taking a day off due to family circumstances.
温かい家庭を築きたい。
I want to build a warm family (home).
Referring to the family of the person you are speaking to, or a third person's family, in a respectful way.
The polite form of 家族. Use when asking about or referring to the listener's family or someone else's family. Adding ご shows respect.
ご家族はお元気ですか。
How is your family?
山田さんのご家族によろしく。
Say hello to Mr. Yamada's family.
In casual conversation, 家族 can sometimes be used for others' families, but ご家族 is safer and more polite.
Referring to family members beyond the nuclear unit, including grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.
Means 'relatives' or 'extended family'. Use this when talking about family members who do not live with you, such as aunts, uncles, and cousins.
お正月に親戚が集まります。
Relatives gather for New Year's.
親戚の結婚式に行った。
I went to a relative's wedding.
Similar to 親戚, meaning 'relatives'. Slightly more formal or legalistic. Often used in official contexts.
Refers to one's 'inner circle' of family and close relatives, emphasizing in-group intimacy. Often used when distinguishing between insiders and outsiders.
Referring to a family line, ancestry, or a traditional household (often historical or formal).
Means 'family line' or 'lineage'. Used when talking about ancestry or bloodline.
彼は医者の家系だ。
He comes from a family of doctors.
Refers to a 'clan' or extended family group, often with a shared name or history. Can be used for powerful or famous families.
Literally 'house', but can mean 'family' in the sense of a traditional household or lineage, especially in historical or formal contexts. Often implies the family name and social standing.
Referring to a taxonomic rank in biology (e.g., the cat family).
Using 'family' metaphorically to describe a group of people who are very close, like a team or community.
Can be used metaphorically, just like in English, to describe a close-knit group.
会社は第二の家族だ。
The company is like a second family.
A phrase meaning 'like family'. Useful when you want to be explicit about the comparison.
彼らは私にとって家族のようなものです。
They are like family to me.
家族 (かぞく) refers to the people in a family, while 家庭 (かてい) refers to the home environment or the concept of family life. You cannot say 私の家庭は4人です (incorrect). Use 家族 for counting members.
私の家族は4人です。
My family has four people.
私の家庭は明るいです。
My home/family atmosphere is cheerful.
The loanword ファミリー is used in specific contexts like 'family restaurant' (ファミリーレストラン) or 'family car' (ファミリーカー), but it is not a general substitute for 家族. Saying 私のファミリー sounds unnatural in most situations.
How many people are in your family, Tanaka? (casual)
親類一同を代表して挨拶します。
I will give a speech on behalf of all the relatives.
We held a small ceremony with just close family.
That family has been politicians for generations.
To succeed the family (headship).