血縁
also: けちえん
Meanings
1
blood relationship; consanguinity
Refers to the abstract tie of shared blood or genetic connection. Often used in legal, anthropological, or formal contexts.
Marriage between people who are related by blood is prohibited by law.
I have no blood relationship with him, but we grew up like real brothers.
2
Refers to a person who is related by blood, as opposed to a relative by marriage or adoption. Often used in the plural 血縁者.
He is my only blood relative.
I also cherish relatives who are not related by blood.
Usage patterns
- 〈人〉と血縁があるto be related to someone by blood
I am related to him by blood.
- 血縁を重視するto place importance on blood ties
This company gives priority to blood ties when choosing its successor.
- 血縁のない〈人〉a person with no blood relation
They raised a child with no blood relation as their adopted son.
- 〈人〉の血縁を探すto search for someone's blood relatives
She searched for her blood relatives in her hometown.