Translation guide
In Japanese, referring to relatives depends on formality, whose relatives they are, and the specific relationship. There is no single all-purpose word; instead, use different terms for your own family versus others' families, and choose between general and specific vocabulary.
The learner wants to refer to their own relatives in a neutral or informal context.
The most common and neutral word for one's own relatives. Can refer to both close and distant relatives.
Refers to one's own family or close relatives, often with a nuance of 'insiders' or 'one's own people'. More intimate than 親戚.
Similar to 親戚 but slightly more formal or legalistic. Often used in written contexts.
The learner wants to refer to another person's relatives politely.
The learner wants to specify that the relatives are not close family.
Literally 'distant relatives'. Commonly used to describe relatives you are not close to or who are far in the family tree.
The learner wants to emphasize that the relatives are close family.
Literally 'close relatives'. Used for relatives you are close to or who are near in the family tree.
The learner wants to refer to relatives gained through marriage.
Refers to relatives by marriage, i.e., in-laws. Can be used for one's own or others'.
The learner wants to specify relatives by blood, not marriage.
Refers to blood relationship or blood relatives. Often used in formal or legal contexts.
The learner wants a word that encompasses the whole extended family.
The learner wants to mention a relative without naming the exact relation (like 'a relative of mine').
A humble way to refer to one's own relative when speaking to someone outside the family. Literally 'a person of my relatives'.
親戚 (しんせき) is the most common, everyday word for relatives. 親類 (しんるい) is slightly more formal and often used in writing or set phrases. 親族 (しんぞく) is a legal term used in the Civil Code and official documents, referring to relatives within a certain degree of kinship.
I have many relatives.
I'm going to a relative's house.
We held the ceremony with only close relatives.
親類一同
all the relatives
your relatives (polite)
A distant relative came to the wedding.
A more concise term for distant relatives or distant relation. Slightly formal.
He is a distant relative.
I invited only close relatives.
A formal term for close relatives, often used in legal or official contexts.
close relative (formal)
relationship by marriage
Literally 'in-law relatives'. A more colloquial way to refer to relatives by marriage.
Dealing with in-laws is tough.
relatives by blood
Refers to blood relatives, especially close ones like parents, siblings, and children. Has an emotional nuance.
affection for one's blood relatives
A formal term for relatives or kin, often used in legal contexts (e.g., inheritance, family register). Includes both blood and in-law relatives.
family council (meeting of relatives)
Refers to a family clan or the whole extended family, often with a sense of lineage. Can be used for historical or prominent families.
The whole clan gathers.
My relative was in your care. (Thank you for looking after my relative.)
A common way to refer to an aunt who is a relative, without specifying if she is a blood aunt or an aunt by marriage. Can be used for other family terms like おじさん (uncle).
I met my aunt (a relative).
relatives and connections
inheritance by relatives
When referring to the relatives of someone you are speaking to or a third person, it is polite to add the honorific prefix ご, as in ご親戚. Using 親戚 alone can sound too direct or impolite.
How are your relatives?
In many situations, it is more natural to use specific family terms (e.g., おじ, おば, いとこ) rather than the general word 'relatives'. For example, instead of 'I visited my relatives', you might say 'I visited my uncle and aunt' if you know the exact relationship.
I went to my uncle and aunt's house.
All my relatives live far away.
We're having a family gathering with relatives.