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縁戚 (えんせき) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

縁えん戚せき

え

ん

せ

き

Meanings

1

noun

relative; kin; relation by marriage

Formal term for a relative, especially one connected by marriage rather than blood. Often used in legal or ceremonial contexts.

彼かれは私わたしの遠とおい縁えん戚せきにあたる。
He is a distant relative of mine.
結けっ婚こん式しきには多おおくの縁えん戚せきが集あつまった。
Many relatives gathered at the wedding.

Kanji

縁affinity, relation, connection
戚grieve, relatives

Similar words

親しん戚せき
親戚 is the common, everyday word for 'relative', while 縁戚 is more formal and often implies a connection through marriage.
姻いん戚せき
姻戚 specifically means 'relative by marriage' (in-law), whereas 縁戚 can include both blood and marriage ties but leans toward marriage connections.

Etymology

Compound of 縁 (en, 'connection, tie') and 戚 (seki, 'relative'). The kanji 戚 is rare in modern Japanese and mainly appears in formal compounds like this one.