Translation guide
The English word 'tribe' can refer to traditional ethnic groups, but also to modern social groups or communities. In Japanese, the translation depends heavily on context. For indigenous or historical tribes, 部族 (buzoku) is standard. For modern subcultures or social groups, 族 (zoku) as a suffix is common. Direct translation is not always natural; sometimes a more specific term is better.
Referring to a group of people sharing culture, language, and ancestry, often in a traditional or historical context.
Standard term for an ethnic or indigenous tribe, especially in anthropological or historical contexts.
アマゾンの部族は独自の言語を持っている。
Amazonian tribes have their own languages.
Often translated as 'ethnic group' or 'people', can be used for larger groups than 部族, but sometimes overlaps with 'tribe'.
その民族は古くからこの地に住んでいる。
That tribe has lived in this area since ancient times.
Referring to a group of people with shared interests, lifestyle, or identity in contemporary society, often used in media.
Suffix meaning 'tribe' in the sense of a social group or subculture. Attach to a noun describing the group's characteristic.
彼はサーフィン族だ。
He's part of the surfing tribe.
都会の新種族、スマホ族。
A new urban tribe: the smartphone tribe.
Means 'group of friends' or 'companions', can be used for a close-knit group like a 'tribe' in a casual sense.
Loanword from English 'group', can be used for any social group, but lacks the specific nuance of 'tribe'.
Referring to a large family or kinship group, often with a shared ancestor.
Means 'family' or 'clan', often used for extended families or lineages, similar to 'tribe' in a familial sense.
彼は有名な政治家一族の出身だ。
He comes from a famous political tribe.
Means 'relatives' or 'kin', can be used for a broader kinship group, but less common for 'tribe'.
In biology, a taxonomic rank between family and genus, or a group of related animals.
Used in biological classification for 'tribe', a rank below subfamily. Also used in chemistry for groups of elements.
この分類では、その種はヒト族に属する。
In this classification, the species belongs to the tribe Hominini.
Using 部族 for a modern social group like 'foodie tribe' sounds unnatural. Use 〜族 or 仲間 instead.
食いしん坊族
foodie tribe
部族 is typically smaller and more traditional, while 民族 can refer to larger ethnic groups or nations. For indigenous tribes, 部族 is safer.
彼は遊牧部族に属している。
He belongs to a nomadic tribe.
都会のヒップスター族。
The urban tribe of hipsters.
週末はいつも山登りの仲間と過ごす。
I always spend weekends with my hiking tribe.
彼女はヨガグループの一員だ。
She's a member of the yoga tribe.
親族が集まって祭りを行った。
The tribe gathered for the festival.