家属 in 30 Seconds
- 家属 is the formal term for 'family members' used in hospitals and offices.
- It differs from 家人 by being clinical and administrative rather than warm and personal.
- Commonly seen in terms like '病人家属' (patient's family) or '家属区' (family living area).
- It acts as a collective noun and rarely takes the plural suffix '们'.
The term 家属 (jiāshǔ) is a formal and administrative noun in Chinese that translates to 'family members' or 'dependents.' While the common word for family is 家人 (jiārén), 家属 carries a specific weight of responsibility, legal standing, and official recognition. It is the word you will see on hospital forms, insurance documents, police reports, and employment benefit packages. Understanding this word is crucial for navigating any formal system in a Chinese-speaking environment. It doesn't just mean the people you love; it means the people for whom you are legally or socially responsible, or who are responsible for you in times of crisis.
- Formal Context
- In a hospital setting, a doctor will rarely ask for your '家人' (family); they will ask for the '家属' (family members/next of kin) to sign consent forms. This distinction is vital because '家属' implies the legal authority to make decisions.
手术前必须由家属签字。 (Before the surgery, a family member must sign.)
The word is composed of two characters: 家 (jiā), meaning home or family, and 属 (shǔ), meaning to belong to, to be subordinate to, or to be a dependent. Historically, this reflected a hierarchical family structure where members 'belonged' to the household head. In modern usage, that hierarchy has softened, but the sense of 'belonging' to a specific social or legal unit remains. You will also encounter it in corporate settings, such as '家属区' (family living quarters) for employees of large state-owned enterprises or universities.
- Scope of Meaning
- The term generally includes spouses, parents, children, and sometimes siblings or other relatives depending on the specific legal context (e.g., inheritance law vs. medical consent).
公司为员工及其家属购买了保险。 (The company purchased insurance for employees and their family members.)
Furthermore, 家属 is frequently used in the context of mourning or tragedy. News reports regarding accidents will often mention the '家属' of the victims, emphasizing their status as the grieving party with a right to information and compensation. It is a word that bridges the gap between the private sphere of the home and the public sphere of law and society. In academic or sociopolitical discussions, you might see terms like '军属' (family members of military personnel) or '烈属' (family members of martyrs), showing how the suffix '-属' can be attached to other categories to denote a specific class of dependents.
政府对烈士家属非常照顾。 (The government takes great care of the family members of martyrs.)
Using 家属 correctly requires an understanding of register. Since it is a formal noun, it often appears in the subject or object position of sentences involving official actions, rights, or notifications. It is rarely used as a term of address; you would never walk up to someone and say 'Hello, 家属!' Instead, it is a category used to describe people in relation to a primary person (the patient, the employee, the deceased).
- Syntactic Pattern: [Primary Person] + 家属
- This is the most common way to identify whose family members are being discussed. For example, '病人家属' (patient's family) or '员工家属' (employee's family).
请家属在外面等候。 (Please have the family members wait outside.)
In grammatical terms, 家属 is a collective noun. While it can refer to a single person (like a spouse), it often encompasses the entire group of related individuals. When you need to specify plurality, you don't usually add plural markers like '们'; the context and the nature of the word itself imply the group. In formal writing, 家属 is often paired with verbs like '通知' (notify), '慰问' (express sympathy/condolences), or '安置' (settle/provide housing for).
- Collocation: 家属 + 委员会 (Committee)
- In older Chinese social structures, '家属委员会' (Family Committees) played a significant role in community management within work units (danwei).
遇难者家属已经得到了通知。 (The family members of the victims have already been notified.)
Another important usage is in the phrase '随军家属' (accompanying military family members), which refers to the spouses and children who live with soldiers on base. This highlights the word's function in defining a person's status relative to an institution. When using this word, ensure the tone is professional. If you are writing a letter to a friend about your family, stick to '家人'. If you are writing an email to HR about health insurance, use '家属'. The choice of word signals your understanding of social boundaries and professionalism.
To truly master 家属, you need to recognize the environments where it naturally occurs. It is a staple of the 'institutional' sounds of China. If you spend time in a Chinese hospital, you will hear it over the intercom: '请201病房的家属到医务室来一趟' (Would the family of the patient in room 201 please come to the nurse's station). It is the standard way medical staff address the support network of a patient without having to identify specific roles like 'mother' or 'husband.'
- The Hospital Scene
- In the ER or ICU, '家属' is the primary term used for communication. It creates a professional distance while acknowledging the vital role of the family.
医生正在耐心解答家属的疑问。 (The doctor is patiently answering the family members' questions.)
In the news, 家属 is used when reporting on public figures or incidents involving the public. For example, during the Spring Festival, news segments often show leaders visiting '老干部家属' (the families of retired veteran cadres) to offer well-wishes. In legal dramas or real-life court reporting, the '家属席' (family seating area) is a specific part of the courtroom. This word is also ubiquitous in the HR departments of large corporations, especially those that offer '家属福利' (family benefits) such as family days at theme parks or supplementary health insurance.
- Corporate and State Units
- Large organizations often have '家属院' (residential compounds for families), creating a tight-knit community where everyone's '家属' status is a primary identity.
这次活动欢迎员工携家属参加。 (This activity welcomes employees to bring their family members.)
You will also see this word in literature and film, particularly those set in the mid-20th century. Stories about the '家属工' (family members who took on temporary jobs within their spouse's work unit) provide a window into the historical economic structure of China. Even in modern digital spaces, when setting up an account for a 'family plan' on a streaming service or a mobile carrier, the terms and conditions will likely use 家属 or the related 亲属 to define eligibility.
The most frequent mistake learners make with 家属 is using it in casual, emotional contexts where 家人 (jiārén) is more appropriate. If you say '我非常爱我的家属' (I love my family members very much), it sounds oddly clinical, almost as if you are expressing affection for a group of legal dependents rather than your beloved family. It's like saying 'I love my legal kin' in English—technically correct but socially awkward.
- Mistake: Over-formalization
- Avoid using '家属' when talking to friends or in a warm, intimate setting. It breaks the 'mood' of the conversation.
Incorrect: 朋友们，这是我的家属。
Correct: 朋友们，这是我的家人/太太/先生。
Another common error is confusing 家属 with 亲戚 (qīnqi). While both involve relatives, 亲戚 usually refers to the extended family (uncles, cousins, aunts) who do not live in your immediate household and are not your direct dependents. 家属 is much tighter; it usually refers to the immediate family members who are officially linked to you. If a company offers benefits to your 家属, your second cousin twice removed is unlikely to qualify, but they would still be your 亲戚.
- Mistake: Misunderstanding the '属' (Shǔ)
- Some learners confuse '家属' with '家书' (jiāshū - a letter from home) because they sound similar. One is a person; the other is a piece of mail!
Finally, remember that 家属 is a noun and cannot be used as a verb. You cannot '家属' someone. You can '属' (belong to) a family, but 家属 is strictly a label for the people involved. In writing, ensure you don't use it to refer to pets. While we often consider pets '家人', they are never '家属' on official documents unless the law specifically changes to include them as legal dependents!
To expand your vocabulary, it's helpful to compare 家属 with other words that mean 'family' or 'relatives.' Each word has its own specific 'territory' in the Chinese language, and using the right one shows a high level of fluency.
- 家属 (jiāshǔ) vs. 家人 (jiārén)
- 家属 is formal, administrative, and clinical. 家人 is warm, personal, and emotional. Use '家属' for the hospital; use '家人' for the dinner table.
- 家属 (jiāshǔ) vs. 亲属 (qīnshǔ)
- 亲属 is the broadest legal term. It includes everyone related by blood or marriage. 家属 is usually narrower, focusing on the immediate household or those dependent on a specific person.
- 家属 (jiāshǔ) vs. 亲戚 (qīnqi)
- 亲戚 refers to extended relatives (uncles, aunts, cousins). You visit '亲戚' during the New Year. You don't usually call your parents '亲戚'.
There is also the term 眷属 (juànshǔ), which is a more literary and romantic term for family or spouses. You will most often hear it in the idiom '有情人终成眷属' (May all lovers eventually become spouses/family). This word is much more poetic than the bureaucratic 家属. If 家属 is a 'legal dependent,' then 眷属 is a 'beloved companion.'
他带着家属一起去国外工作。 (He took his family members with him to work abroad.)
In very formal or ancient contexts, you might see 家小 (jiāxiǎo), which specifically refers to one's wife and children. However, this is largely obsolete in modern speech. Another related term is 门属 (ménshǔ), referring to those belonging to the same clan, but this is also rare. For the modern learner, the key is to balance 家属 (official), 家人 (intimate), and 亲戚 (extended). Mastering these three will cover 99% of your needs when talking about family in Chinese.
How Formal Is It?
Fun Fact
In the past, '家属' could include servants or even slaves who 'belonged' to the house, but today it strictly refers to relatives.
Pronunciation Guide
- Pronouncing 'shu' as 'su'. Ensure the 'sh' is retroflex.
- Confusing 'shu' (3rd tone) with 'shu' (1st tone, like in 'book').
- Using the wrong 'u' sound; it should be a pure 'u' as in 'flu'.
- Failing to distinguish 'jia' from 'qia'.
- Monotonous tones; ensure the 1st and 3rd tones are distinct.
Difficulty Rating
The characters are common, but the context matters.
Writing '属' correctly takes practice.
Easy to pronounce if you know the tones.
Distinctive sound, easy to pick out in formal speech.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Collective Nouns
家属 (jiāshǔ) represents the whole group.
Noun Compounds
病人家属 (Patient's family).
Preposition '和' (With)
医生和家属谈话。
The '带' (Bring) pattern
带家属去旅行。
Formal Imperatives
请家属配合。
Examples by Level
他是我的家属。
He is my family member (formal).
Simple Subject + Verb + Object structure.
家属在那儿。
The family members are over there.
Locative sentence.
我有三个家属。
I have three family members (official count).
Using a number with the noun.
家属可以进来吗？
Can family members come in?
Interrogative sentence with 吗.
这是家属区。
This is the family area.
Demonstrative pronoun + Noun.
请家属坐下。
Please, family members, sit down.
Polite imperative with 请.
家属很担心。
The family members are very worried.
Subject + Adverb + Adjective.
家属没来。
The family members didn't come.
Negative sentence with 没.
请病人家属签字。
Please have the patient's family sign.
Compound noun: 病人家属.
这里是家属休息室。
This is the family waiting room.
Compound noun: 家属休息室.
医生在和家属谈话。
The doctor is talking with the family.
Prepositional phrase '和...谈话'.
只有家属能进去。
Only family members can enter.
Use of 只有...能.
家属需要买票吗？
Do family members need to buy tickets?
Verb '需要' (need).
他是我们的家属工。
He is a family-member worker of ours.
Specific historical/social term.
请通知他的家属。
Please notify his family members.
Verb '通知' (notify).
家属同意这个手术。
The family agrees to this surgery.
Verb '同意' (agree).
公司给家属提供了医疗保险。
The company provided medical insurance for family members.
Structure: 给...提供...
作为家属，他有优先权。
As a family member, he has priority.
Phrase '作为...' (As a...).
遇难者家属要求真相。
The families of the victims demand the truth.
Noun '遇难者' (victim).
他带着家属去北京定居了。
He took his family to settle in Beijing.
Verb '定居' (settle).
家属委员会负责管理这个院子。
The Family Committee is responsible for managing this courtyard.
Term '家属委员会'.
请问您是病人的家属吗？
May I ask, are you the patient's family member?
Polite inquiry '请问'.
这些福利也包括家属在内。
These benefits also include family members.
Structure '包括...在内'.
家属的情绪目前比较稳定。
The family's emotions are currently relatively stable.
Noun '情绪' (emotions).
法律规定，家属享有继承权。
The law stipulates that family members enjoy the right of inheritance.
Legal terminology '享有继承权'.
政府正在安抚受害者家属。
The government is comforting the families of the victims.
Verb '安抚' (comfort/placate).
这种传染病要求家属也进行隔离。
This infectious disease requires family members to be quarantined as well.
Verb '要求' + clause.
由于家属不在场，手术推迟了。
Since the family members were not present, the surgery was postponed.
Conjunction '由于' (due to).
他为烈士家属捐赠了一大笔钱。
He donated a large sum of money to the families of martyrs.
Term '烈士家属'.
家属对治疗方案提出了异议。
The family raised an objection to the treatment plan.
Phrase '提出异议' (raise an objection).
随军家属的就业问题得到了解决。
The employment issue for military dependents has been resolved.
Term '随军家属'.
家属必须提供身份证明。
Family members must provide proof of identity.
Modal '必须' (must).
家属的连带责任在法律上仍有争议。
The joint liability of family members remains legally controversial.
Abstract concept '连带责任'.
他在自传中详细描述了家属受到的政治冲击。
In his autobiography, he described in detail the political impact his family suffered.
Phrase '政治冲击' (political impact).
家属区建筑风格反映了那个时代的特征。
The architectural style of the family quarters reflects the characteristics of that era.
Verb '反映' (reflect).
虽然他是公职人员，但其家属在经商。
Although he is a public official, his family members are in business.
Conjunction '虽然...但...'.
医生在告知家属病情时需要极大的同理心。
Doctors need great empathy when informing family members of the condition.
Noun '同理心' (empathy).
该政策旨在保障贫困家属的基本生活。
The policy aims to guarantee the basic livelihood of poor family members.
Phrase '旨在保障' (aims to guarantee).
家属的供词在案件中起到了关键作用。
The testimony of the family members played a key role in the case.
Noun '供词' (testimony).
他因未能妥善安置家属而感到愧疚。
He felt guilty for failing to properly settle his family.
Verb '安置' (settle/house).
家属这一概念在现代法理学中被赋予了更广泛的内涵。
The concept of 'family member' has been given broader connotations in modern jurisprudence.
Passive structure '被赋予'.
其家属在海外的资产配置引起了监管部门的注意。
The asset allocation of his family members overseas caught the attention of regulatory authorities.
Term '资产配置' (asset allocation).
传统伦理中的‘家属’往往意味着一种依附关系。
In traditional ethics, 'family member' often implies a relationship of dependency.
Noun '依附关系' (dependency).
家属的心理干预已成为灾后重建的重要组成部分。
Psychological intervention for family members has become an important part of post-disaster reconstruction.
Term '心理干预'.
他通过各种渠道试图撇清家属与该丑闻的联系。
He tried through various channels to distance his family from the scandal.
Verb '撇清' (to clear/distance oneself).
家属院的拆迁引发了老一辈人的集体怀旧。
The demolition of the family quarters sparked collective nostalgia among the older generation.
Noun '集体怀旧' (collective nostalgia).
在处理家属诉求时，必须坚持法理与情理的统一。
When handling the demands of family members, one must adhere to the unity of law and reason.
Phrase '法理与情理' (legal and moral logic).
随迁家属的社会融入问题是城市化进程中的一大挑战。
The social integration of accompanying family members is a major challenge in the process of urbanization.
Noun '社会融入' (social integration).
Synonyms
Antonyms
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— Family members are requested not to visit (usually in hospitals).
重症监护室，家属谢绝探视。
— A representative of the family.
家属代表在葬礼上致词。
— Family members accompanying and caring for a patient.
医院允许一名家属陪护。
— Family contact information.
请填写家属联系方式。
— Proof of family member status.
办理保险需提供家属身份证明。
— Providing housing or jobs for family members.
政府做好了家属安置工作。
— Expressing condolences or sympathy to family members.
领导进行了家属慰问。
— The opinion or wishes of the family.
我们要尊重家属意见。
— Family relationship.
核实两人的家属关系。
— To bring family members along.
这次旅行可以带家属。
Idioms & Expressions
— Lovers eventually become family (get married).
祝福他们有情人终成眷属。
Literary/Romantic— To be burdened with a large family to support.
他拖家带口的，生活不容易。
Informal— Family ruined and members dead (extreme tragedy).
战争让他家破人亡。
Formal— To bring honor to the family.
他考上大学，光耀门楣。
Formal— A family of scholars.
她出生于书香门第。
Formal— Families of equal social status.
他们两家门当户对。
Traditional— Kind father and filial son (ideal family).
这个家庭父慈子孝。
Formal— To settle down in a new place with family.
他在上海安家落户了。
Neutral— Family gathering together happily.
全家人欢聚一堂。
Festive— Known to every family and household.
这个故事家喻户晓。
NeutralSentence Patterns
请...家属...
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine a house (家) and people inside it who are 'stuck' (属 - sounds like 'glue' in some associations) to it officially.
Visual Association
A hospital registration desk with a sign that says '家属' and a picture of a family tree.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to find the word '家属' on a Chinese website for a hospital or a big company's HR page.
Word Origin
The term combines '家' (jiā), which depicts a pig under a roof (symbolizing a stable household), and '属' (shǔ), which originally meant to connect or belong to. In ancient legal texts, it referred to those who were under the authority of the head of the house.
Original meaning: Dependents of a household head.
Sino-TibetanCultural Context
Be careful when referring to the '家属' of someone who has passed away; always use a respectful and somber tone.
In English, we say 'next of kin' or 'family members,' but we don't have a single word that fits every formal context as perfectly as '家属'.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Hospital
- 请家属签字
- 病人家属请进
- 家属谢绝探视
- 告知家属
Company/HR
- 员工家属福利
- 欢迎携带家属
- 家属保险
- 家属随迁
Military
- 随军家属
- 军属优待
- 烈士家属
- 家属安置
Legal/Police
- 通知家属
- 家属供词
- 家属权利
- 核实家属关系
Residential
- 家属院
- 家属区
- 家属委员会
- 家属楼
Conversation Starters
"你这次出差可以带家属吗？"
"你在医院看到病人家属了吗？"
"你们公司的家属福利怎么样？"
"他是不是住在那个大学的家属院？"
"医生有没有和家属谈过话？"
Journal Prompts
描述一次你作为‘家属’参加的活动。
你认为‘家属’在医院决策中应该扮演什么角色？
如果你搬到另一个城市，你的家属会随迁吗？
写一段话，解释‘家人’和‘家属’的区别。
想象你是一个HR，给员工写一封关于家属保险的通知。
Summary
Use 家属 (jiāshǔ) when you need to refer to family members in a professional, legal, or medical setting. For example: '请家属签字' (Please have a family member sign). Avoid using it in casual conversation with friends.
- 家属 is the formal term for 'family members' used in hospitals and offices.
- It differs from 家人 by being clinical and administrative rather than warm and personal.
- Commonly seen in terms like '病人家属' (patient's family) or '家属区' (family living area).
- It acts as a collective noun and rarely takes the plural suffix '们'.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
More health words
一粒
A2One pill; a grain (for small, round objects like pills).
一片
A2One tablet; a slice (for flat objects like pills).
不正常
A2abnormal
以上
A2Above, over (a number)
酸痛
A2Sore; aching (especially muscles).
倒是
A2On the contrary; actually.
针灸
A2Acupuncture; traditional Chinese therapy.
扎针
A2to give an injection
急性
B1acute (illness)
急性病
B1Acute disease.
