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.
your family (polite)
Use when speaking to someone outside your in-group.
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.
My family has four people.
Refers to one's own family or relatives, often with a nuance of 'insiders' or 'close relations'. Used when emphasizing the in-group aspect.
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.
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.
Emphasizing the people you live with or your nuclear family.
Still the best word for immediate family. Context usually makes it clear.
When you want to include relatives beyond the nuclear family.
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.
Incorrect: 'My honorable family...'
家族 (kazoku) = family members (people). (katei) = household/home life. (shinseki) = relatives/extended family. Choose based on whether you mean the people, the home, or the wider kin.
I live with my family.
身内だけで集まりました。
We gathered with just the family.
My family is all doing well.
Very formal/humble expression for 'our family'. Used in business or formal speeches.
Our entire family is grateful.
How is your family?
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.
I wish happiness to your family.
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'.
I'm taking a day off due to family reasons.
Means 'relatives' or 'extended family'. Use this when you mean aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.
Relatives gather for New Year's.
A more formal or legal term for 'relatives' or 'kin'. Used in official contexts.
We held a family council.