Translation guide
In Japanese, referring to one's own family depends heavily on formality and who you are speaking to. The most common and neutral word is 家族 (kazoku). When speaking formally or about someone else's family, different honorific terms are used.
Referring to one's own family in everyday conversation, without special politeness.
The standard, neutral word for 'family'. Safe to use in most situations when talking about your own family.
私の家族は4人です。
My family has four people.
家族と一緒に住んでいます。
I live with my family.
Refers to one's own family or relatives, often with a nuance of 'insiders' or 'close relations'. Used when emphasizing the in-group aspect.
身内だけで集まりました。
We gathered with just the family.
When speaking politely to non-family members, you often use humble or neutral terms for your own family.
Even in formal settings, 家族 is acceptable for your own family. It is not overly casual.
家族は皆元気です。
My family is all doing well.
Very formal/humble expression for 'our family'. Used in business or formal speeches.
私どもの家族一同、感謝しております。
Our entire family is grateful.
When referring to the family of someone you are not close to, you use honorific language.
The polite way to say 'your/his/her family'. Add ご prefix to 家族.
ご家族はお元気ですか。
How is your family?
田中さんのご家族によろしくお伝えください。
Please give my regards to Mr. Tanaka's family.
A more formal or literary term for 'your family' or 'the family'. Often used in writing or formal speeches.
ご一家のご多幸をお祈りします。
I wish happiness to your family.
Emphasizing the people you live with or your nuclear family.
Still the best word for immediate family. Context usually makes it clear.
家族で夕食を食べました。
I had dinner with my family.
Means 'household' or 'home', often used in contexts like 'family life' or 'domestic'. Not used to say 'my family' directly.
家庭 refers to the home environment or household, not the people. Don't say 私の家庭 to mean 'my family'.
When you want to include relatives beyond the nuclear family.
Means 'relatives' or 'extended family'. Use this when you mean aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.
お正月に親戚が集まります。
Relatives gather for New Year's.
A more formal or legal term for 'relatives' or 'kin'. Used in official contexts.
Adding ご to 家族 makes it honorific. Never use ご家族 to refer to your own family; it sounds arrogant. Use plain 家族 for yourself.
× 私のご家族は…
Incorrect: 'My honorable family...'
家族 (kazoku) = family members (people). 家庭 (katei) = household/home life. 親戚 (shinseki) = relatives/extended family. Choose based on whether you mean the people, the home, or the wider kin.
家庭の事情で休みます。
I'm taking a day off due to family reasons.
親族会議を開きました。
We held a family council.