Meaning and Usage
"家族" (かぞく) refers to the members of a family, typically including parents and children living together or related by blood or marriage. It is a common noun used in everyday conversation to talk about one's family unit.
Common Contexts
You will often hear "家族" when people talk about their home life, family events, or relationships. It can refer to both nuclear and extended family depending on context.
Collocations and Patterns
- 家族と (かぞくと): "with family" — used when doing activities together.
- 家族の健康 (かぞくのけんこう): "family's health" — a common phrase emphasizing well-being.
- 家族旅行 (かぞくりょこう): "family trip" — used when talking about traveling with family.
Register and Nuance
"家族" is neutral and polite, suitable for both casual and formal situations. It is not used to refer to friends or unrelated people.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "家族" with "親戚" (しんせき), which means "relatives" or extended family. "家族" is more immediate family, while "親戚" includes cousins, aunts, uncles, etc. Use "家族" when referring to your closest family members.