Translation guide
In Japanese, expressing 'whole family' depends on whose family you're talking about and the level of formality. The most common and neutral way is 家族全員 (kazoku zen'in) for your own family. For others' families, ご家族全員 (gokazoku zen'in) is polite. There are also set phrases like 一家全員 (ikka zen'in) for 'the whole household' and idiomatic expressions like 家族揃って (kazoku sorotte) meaning 'with the whole family together'.
The speaker is talking about their own family as a complete group.
The most standard and neutral way to say 'the whole family' when referring to your own family. 家族 (family) + 全員 (all members).
家族全員で映画を見に行った。
The whole family went to see a movie.
家族全員がその計画に賛成した。
The whole family agreed to the plan.
A more casual, conversational way to say 'the whole family'. みんな means 'everyone'.
家族みんなで旅行に行くんだ。
We're going on a trip with the whole family.
Emphasizes that the family is doing something together, all present. Often used for meals, outings, or celebrations.
家族揃って夕食を食べた。
We had dinner with the whole family together.
The speaker is talking about the family of the listener or a third person, using respectful language.
The polite version of 家族全員. The prefix ご adds respect. Use this when referring to the listener's family or someone else's family.
ご家族全員でいらしてください。
Please come with your whole family.
ご家族全員お元気ですか。
Is your whole family doing well?
A polite and slightly more personal way to say 'everyone in your family'. みなさん is a respectful 'everyone'.
ご家族みなさんによろしくお伝えください。
Please give my regards to your whole family.
Referring to an entire household as a unit, often in formal contexts or news.
Means 'all members of a household'. 一家 (one family/household) is more formal than 家族. Used in news reports or formal writing.
一家全員が避難した。
The whole family evacuated.
Formal/literary version of 家族揃って, meaning 'the whole household together'.
一家揃って新年を祝った。
The whole family celebrated the New Year together.
Emphasizing that even distant relatives or the entire clan is included.
Refers to all relatives, not just the nuclear family. Used in legal or formal contexts like inheritance or gatherings.
親族全員が集まった。
The whole extended family gathered.
When speaking about your own family to others, never use the honorific prefix ご. Saying ご家族 to refer to your own family sounds arrogant or mistaken. Use plain 家族 instead.
私の家族全員が風邪をひいています。
My whole family has a cold.
家族全員 is neutral and can be used in both speech and writing. 家族みんな is more casual and conversational. In formal writing or polite speech, 家族全員 is safer.
家族全員が賛成しました。
The whole family agreed. (polite)
家族みんな賛成したよ。
The whole family agreed. (casual)