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家人 (けにん) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

家け人にん

け

に

ん

Meanings

1

noun

retainer; vassal; servant

Historical term for a person who served a noble or samurai household, similar to a retainer or vassal. Not used in modern everyday contexts.

戦せん国ごく時じ代だい、家け人にんは主しゅ君くんに忠ちゅう誠せいを誓ちかった。
In the Warring States period, retainers swore loyalty to their lord.

Kanji

家house, home, family
人person

Similar words

家け来らい
家来 is a more common historical term for a retainer or vassal, while 家人 is rarer and more formal.
家か臣しん
家臣 also means vassal or retainer, but is more widely used in historical contexts than 家人.

Etymology

From 家 (household) + 人 (person), literally 'household person'. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the term has been used since the Heian period to refer to retainers or servants of noble families.