Let’s talk about Family in Japanese

Let’s talk about Family

The term ‘Family’ in Japanese is composed of Father, Mother, and Children. The Japanese Family is traditionally patriarchal.

The Japanese term for Family is かぞく or ごかぞく。 ごかぞく is a term used for Family members of a family other than one’s own.

The Kanji of かぞく is the combination of the Kanji of house いえ(家) and clan/tribe ぞく(族)。

 

Let’s learn the terms for Family:

Family –　かぞく (kazoku)

Parents – りょうしん (ryoushin)

I – わたし　(watashi)

 

English	Formal term	Informal term
Grandfather	おじいさん (ojiisan)	そふ (sofu)
Grandmother	おばあさん (obaasan)	そぼ (sobo)
Father	ちち (chichi)	おとうさん (otousan)
Mother	はは (haha)	おかあさん (okaasan)
Elder Brother	あに (ani)	おにいさん (oniisan)
Elder Sister	あね (ane)	おねえさん (oneesan)
Younger Brother	おとうと (otouto)
Younger Sister	いもうと (imouto)
Uncle	おじさん (ojisan)	おじ (oji)
Aunt	おばさん (obasan)	おば (oba)
Nephew	おいごさん (oigosan)	おい (oi)
Niece	めいごさん (meigosan)	めい (mei)

 

As you can see both, Grandfather and Uncle have almost the same Japanese term. The ‘じい’ in Grandfather is pronounced longer than the ‘じ’ in Uncle. Same as the Japanese term for Grandmother and Aunt. The ‘ばあ’ in Grandmother is pronounced longer than the ‘ば’ in Aunt. Sometimes, it can be mistranslated as mostly Japanese speaks fast, that’s why, always be careful when speaking.

 

In Anime, we always hear the words ‘じじ’ and ‘ばば’. These terms are casual terms used for close family members but in Anime, these terms are translated into old person, like じじ as ‘Grandpa’ or ‘old man’ while ‘ばば’ as ‘Grandma’ or ‘old woman’.

 

Young children often call their parents as ‘パパ’ and ‘ママ’. But as they grow up, they call their parents as ‘おとうさん’ and ‘おかあさん’. Some calls their parents as ‘おとうちゃん’ and ’かちゃん’.  These terms are more like an affection towards their parents, less formality. In Anime, we always hear ‘おやじ’ for Father. Mostly men (boys) call their father as ‘おやじ’.

 

For older brother and sister, we often hear younger ones calling them as ‘おにいちゃん’ and おねえちゃん’ or ‘あにさん’ and ‘おねさん’. In some brotherhood group of youngsters or underground group, calls their older brother or person they looked up to as ‘あにき’. We often hear this term in Anime.

 

Other terms:

Grandchildren – まご  (mago)

Great Grandchildren – ひまご (himago)

Cousins – いとこ (itoko)

Relatives – しんせき (Shinseki)

Son – むすこ (musuko)

Daughter – むすめ  (musume)

That's all for today. 

This is Ringo. 

If you want to learn my previous post, you can check it through the link below: 

>> Let’s talk about time

>> Basic Greetings in Hiragana

>> Summary - June

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Latest Update May 18, 2024

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