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A1 noun #8 most common 8 min read

家人

jiārén Top 8

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 家人 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 家人 in your Level:

At the Beginner level, you learn '家人' as one of your first essential nouns. You focus on simple identification and possession. You learn to say 'This is my family' (这是我的家人) and 'I have three family members' (我家有三口人). The goal is to use the word in basic introductions and to understand it when someone asks about your home life. You also learn the distinction between '家' (home) and '家人' (family members) in its most basic form.

At the Elementary level, you start using '家人' with more descriptive verbs and adjectives. You can talk about where your family lives (我的家人住在英国), what they like to do (我家人都喜欢看电影), and how you feel about them (我很想念我的家人). You begin to drop the 'de' (的) in '我的家人' to sound more natural ('我家人'). You also learn to use '家人' in the context of holidays like Spring Festival.

At the Intermediate level, you use '家人' to discuss more complex social situations and personal opinions. You might talk about family traditions, the influence of your family on your career choices, or the responsibilities you have toward your '家人'. You can distinguish between '家人' and '家庭' in context, choosing the warmer term for personal stories and the more formal term for general discussions about society.

At the Upper-Intermediate level, you explore the nuances of '家人' in literature and media. You understand how the term is used metaphorically (e.g., a company calling its employees '家人'). You can discuss the changing structure of the Chinese family and how the concept of '家人' has evolved from large extended families to smaller nuclear ones. You are comfortable using related idioms like '家喻户晓' (known to every family).

At the Advanced level, you analyze the deep cultural and philosophical roots of '家人'. You can discuss Confucian filial piety (孝) and its modern implications for '家人' relationships. You recognize the use of '家人' in formal speeches and high-level journalism where it might be used to evoke national unity. You can debate the legal vs. emotional definitions of family, using terms like '家属' and '亲人' with precision.

At the Mastery level, you have a native-like grasp of '家人'. You understand all regional variations and slang. You can appreciate the word's use in classical poetry and modern avant-garde literature. You can navigate the most sensitive social situations involving family with perfect linguistic tact, understanding the unspoken expectations and hierarchies inherent in the term '家人' within Chinese society.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

家人 in 30 Seconds

家人 (jiārén) means 'family members'. It is a neutral, warm word for daily use.
It is composed of 家 (home) and 人 (person). It focuses on the people, not the unit.
Commonly used with measure words 口 (kǒu) for household size or 个 (gè) for individuals.
Essential for A1 learners to describe their home life and personal relationships.

The Chinese word 家人 (jiārén) is the fundamental term for 'family members' or 'family'. It is a compound noun formed by two simple yet profound characters: 家 (jiā), meaning 'home' or 'house', and 人 (rén), meaning 'person'. Together, they literally describe 'the people of the house'. This term is ubiquitous in daily conversation, used to refer to one's closest relatives, typically those living under the same roof or belonging to the immediate kinship circle.

Etymological Depth: The character 家 is a pictograph of a roof (宀) over a pig (豕). In ancient agrarian China, having livestock under your roof signified a settled, prosperous home. Adding 人 transforms this physical space into a human collective.
Usage Scope: While 'family' in English can sometimes feel abstract, jiārén is very concrete. It refers to the individuals. If you say 'I love my family', you use jiārén to emphasize the people you love.

我想和家人一起吃晚饭。(Wǒ xiǎng hé jiārén yīqǐ chī wǎnfàn.)
— Translation: I want to have dinner with my family.

In social contexts, asking about someone's jiārén is a standard way to show politeness and care. It is less formal than jiātíng (household/family unit) and more personal. You will hear it in movies, songs, and everyday greetings. It evokes a sense of warmth, belonging, and moral obligation, rooted deeply in Confucian values of filial piety and collective identity.

他是我的家人。(Tā shì wǒ de jiārén.)
— Translation: He is my family member.

Emotional Resonance: The word carries a protective connotation. To call someone jiārén is to bring them into your inner circle of trust.

Whether you are traveling in China or chatting with Chinese friends, using jiārén correctly helps you express your values regarding home and kinship. It is one of the first nouns a learner masters because of its high frequency and essential role in human connection.

Using 家人 (jiārén) in a sentence is relatively straightforward for English speakers, but there are specific grammatical patterns and measure words you must master to sound natural. Unlike English, where 'family' can be singular or collective, jiārén almost always refers to the people themselves.

Possessive Patterns: To say 'my family', you use 我的家人 (wǒ de jiārén). However, in Chinese, the possessive particle 的 (de) is often dropped for close relationships. Thus, 我家人 (wǒ jiārén) is very common and sounds more intimate.

我家人都在北京。(Wǒ jiārén dōu zài Běijīng.)
— Translation: My family are all in Beijing.

When quantifying family members, you have two main options. The most common measure word for family members in a household is 口 (kǒu), which literally means 'mouth' (as in 'mouths to feed'). For general counting of individuals, you can also use 个 (gè).

Common Verb Pairings

想念 (xiǎngniàn): To miss family.
照顾 (zhàogù): To take care of family.
介绍 (jièshào): To introduce family.

我给朋友介绍我的家人。(Wǒ gěi péngyǒu jièshào wǒ de jiārén.)
— Translation: I introduce my family to my friend.

In more complex sentences, jiārén can act as the subject or object of a clause. It is often paired with the adverb 都 (dōu) meaning 'all', because family is viewed as a collective group. For example, 'My family all like to travel' would be 我家人都喜欢旅游. Note how the 'all' comes after the subject 'family'.

Negative Sentences: To say someone is not family, use 不是家人 (bù shì jiārén). To say you don't have family (rarely used literally, often figuratively), use 没有家人 (méiyǒu jiārén).

By practicing these structures, you will be able to describe your home life and personal relationships with clarity and cultural accuracy.

In the real world, 家人 (jiārén) is heard in a variety of emotional and social contexts. From the bustling streets of Shanghai to the quiet villages of Sichuan, this word is the heartbeat of social interaction. Understanding where you will encounter it helps in developing listening comprehension and cultural empathy.

Spring Festival (Chunjie): During the Lunar New Year, the most common phrase you will hear is 回家看家人 (huí jiā kàn jiārén)—returning home to see family. This period, known as 'Chunyun', is the largest human migration on earth, all centered around the concept of being with jiārén.

春节我们要和家人团圆。(Chūnjié wǒmen yào hé jiārén tuányuán.)
— Translation: During Spring Festival, we want to reunite with family.

In Chinese TV dramas (C-Dramas), especially those in the 'slice of life' or 'family drama' genres, jiārén is a keyword. Characters often debate their responsibilities toward their jiārén, or express deep gratitude for their support. A very famous drama titled 以家人之名 (Go Ahead) literally translates to 'In the Name of Family', exploring how non-biological bonds can become jiārén.

Workplace and Socializing: When meeting a colleague for dinner, they might say, 我可以带我的家人吗？ (Can I bring my family?). This shows a high level of comfort and trust. In marketing, companies often use '家人' to address their customers, creating a sense of intimacy and loyalty.

欢迎各位家人回家！(Huānyíng gèwèi jiārén huí jiā!)
— Translation: Welcome home, all family members! (Commonly used by brands or communities).

Finally, in hospitals or legal settings, you will hear the term 家属 (jiāshǔ), which is a more formal version of jiārén. However, in personal conversation, even in those settings, people will stick to jiārén to maintain a sense of warmth and connection. Paying attention to these contexts will help you understand the social fabric of China.

While 家人 (jiārén) seems simple, English speakers often make several common errors due to direct translation or misunderstanding the nuances of Chinese measure words and nouns. Avoiding these will make your Chinese sound much more authentic.

Mistake 1: Confusing 家 and 家人: In English, 'home' and 'family' are distinct, but 'family' can sometimes mean the household. In Chinese, 家 (jiā) is the place or the abstract concept, while 家人 (jiārén) are the people. You cannot say 'I love my home' when you mean 'I love my family members'.

Incorrect: 我爱我的家。(If you mean the people)
Correct: 我爱我的家人。

Another frequent error involves the use of measure words. Many learners use 个 (gè) for everything. While 三个家人 is grammatically acceptable, it sounds slightly detached. When talking about the size of your family, you must use 口 (kǒu).

Mistake 2: Overusing 'de' (的): Beginners often say 我的家人 every single time. While correct, native speakers frequently omit 的 for close relationships. Saying 我家人 or 你家人 sounds more natural and fluent.

Lastly, be careful with the word 家庭 (jiātíng). This word refers to the 'family unit' or 'household' in a more sociological or formal sense. If you are talking about your personal feelings or daily activities with your relatives, jiārén is almost always the better choice. Using jiātíng in a casual sentence like 'I am going to the park with my family' would sound oddly formal, like saying 'I am going to the park with my domestic unit'.

Mistake: 我和我的家庭去公园。
Better: 我和家人去公园。

By keeping these distinctions in mind, you will avoid the 'uncanny valley' of Chinese speech and communicate your thoughts about family with much greater precision.

To truly master the concept of 'family' in Chinese, you need to know when to use 家人 (jiārén) and when to opt for a synonym. Chinese has a rich vocabulary for kinship, reflecting the historical importance of family structures.

家庭 (jiātíng) vs. 家人 (jiārén): 家庭 refers to the 'family' as an institution or a unit. You use it when discussing family background, family education, or household income. 家人 refers to the individuals.
Example: 他来自一个幸福的家庭 (He comes from a happy family).
亲人 (qīnrén) vs. 家人 (jiārén): 亲人 means 'relatives' or 'loved ones'. It is more emotional and can include people who are not in your immediate household but are blood-related or very close. Jiārén is slightly more focused on the domestic circle.

虽然我们不是家人，但我们像亲人一样。(Suīrán wǒmen bùshì jiārén, dàn wǒmen xiàng qīnrén yīyàng.)
— Translation: Although we aren't family, we are like close relatives.

For more formal or legal contexts, you will encounter 家属 (jiāshǔ). This is the term used on official forms, in hospitals (e.g., 'family of the patient'), or in news reports. It sounds cold and clinical compared to the warmth of jiārén.

In some dialects or very informal settings, you might hear 家里人 (jiālǐrén), which literally means 'people in the house'. This is essentially synonymous with jiārén but feels even more colloquial. If you are in Northern China, you might also hear 咱家人 (zán jiārén), which uses the inclusive 'we' (zán) to create a sense of shared belonging.

Understanding these subtle shifts in vocabulary will allow you to adjust your tone depending on whether you are filling out a visa application, talking to a best friend, or writing a heartfelt letter to your parents.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In ancient times, the word '家人' could also refer to servants or people who worked for a wealthy family, but today it exclusively refers to relatives.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /dʒjaː ʐən/

US /dʒja ɻən/

The stress is balanced, but the first syllable 'jiā' often feels slightly more prominent due to the high flat tone.

Rhymes With

家 (jiā) rhymes with 妈 (mā), 花 (huā), 虾 (xiā). 人 (rén) rhymes with 门 (mén), 盆 (pén), 晨 (chén).

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'rén' like 'ren' in 'rent'. It should be a retroflex 'r'.
Mixing up the tones: saying 'jià' (4th tone) instead of 'jiā' (1st tone).
Pronouncing 'jiā' as 'gee-ah' with two distinct syllables. It should be one smooth sound.
Failing to rise on the second syllable 'rén'.
Making the 'j' in 'jiā' too voiced like a 'z' sound.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 1/5

Both characters are very common and learned early.

Writing 3/5

The character '家' has 10 strokes and requires some practice for balance.

Speaking 1/5

The tones are simple (1st and 2nd).

Listening 1/5

Very high frequency word, easy to recognize.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

家 (home) 人 (person) 我 (I/me) 有 (have) 的 (possessive)

Learn Next

爸爸 (dad) 妈妈 (mom) 哥哥 (older brother) 姐姐 (older sister) 弟弟 (younger brother)

Advanced

家庭 (household) 亲戚 (relatives) 孝顺 (filial piety) 团圆 (reunion) 血缘 (bloodline)

Grammar to Know

Measure word '口' (kǒu) for family size.

我家有三口人。

Dropping '的' (de) for close relationships.

我家人 (instead of 我的家人).

Placing '都' (dōu) after the subject '家人'.

我家人都很好。

Using '和...一起' (hé... yīqǐ) for 'with'.

我和家人一起吃饭。

Possessive '的' (de) for specific descriptions.

家人的支持 (family's support).

Examples by Level

这是我的家人。

This is my family.

Using 'shì' (to be) for identification.

我爱我的家人。

I love my family.

Subject + Verb + Object.

你家人好吗？

Is your family well?

A common greeting/inquiry.

我家有四口人。

My family has four people.

Using the measure word 'kǒu'.

他不是我的家人。

He is not my family member.

Negative 'bù shì'.

我家人在北京。

My family is in Beijing.

Location with 'zài'.

你的家人在哪里？

Where is your family?

Question word 'nǎlǐ'.

我有很多家人。

I have many family members.

Using 'hěn duō' (many).

我经常给家人打电话。

I often call my family.

Adverb 'jīngcháng' (often).

我家人都喜欢吃中国菜。

My family all like eating Chinese food.

Using 'dōu' (all) after the subject.

我要和家人一起去旅游。

I am going to travel with my family.

Structure 'hé... yīqǐ' (together with).

我的家人很支持我。

My family is very supportive of me.

Adjective 'zhīchí' (supportive).

我想给家人买礼物。

I want to buy gifts for my family.

Verb 'mǎi' (buy) + object.

我家人不喝咖啡。

My family doesn't drink coffee.

Negative 'bù' before the verb.

你和你家人住在一起吗？

Do you live together with your family?

Question with 'ma'.

我家人都在等我回家。

My family are all waiting for me to go home.

Continuous action with 'zài'.

对我来说，家人是最重要的。

To me, family is the most important.

Structure 'duì... lái shuō' (as for...).

我需要和家人商量一下。

I need to discuss it with my family.

Verb 'shāngliáng' (discuss).

我家人对我影响很大。

My family has a big influence on me.

Noun 'yǐngxiǎng' (influence).

虽然我工作很忙，但我还是会陪家人。

Although I am busy at work, I still spend time with my family.

Conjunction 'suīrán... dànshì' (although... but).

为了家人，他决定回国工作。

For the sake of his family, he decided to return to his country to work.

Preposition 'wèile' (for the sake of).

我家人总是鼓励我追求梦想。

My family always encourages me to pursue my dreams.

Verb 'gǔlì' (encourage).

我把他们当成自己的家人。

I treat them as my own family.

Structure 'bǎ... dāngchéng' (treat... as).

家人的健康是我最大的心愿。

The health of my family is my greatest wish.

Noun 'xīnyuàn' (wish).

在这个城市，我没有一个家人。

In this city, I don't have a single family member.

Emphasis with 'yī gè... dōu méiyǒu'.

他把所有的积蓄都留给了家人。

He left all his savings to his family.

Resultative complement 'liú gěi'.

家人的理解给了他莫大的勇气。

His family's understanding gave him immense courage.

Abstract noun 'lǐjiě' (understanding).

我们应该珍惜和家人相处的时光。

We should cherish the time spent with family.

Verb 'zhēnxī' (cherish).

家人的矛盾有时很难解决。

Family conflicts are sometimes hard to resolve.

Noun 'máodùn' (conflict).

他是一个非常有责任感的家人。

He is a very responsible family member.

Compound noun 'zérèngǎn' (sense of responsibility).

无论发生什么，家人永远是你的后盾。

No matter what happens, family is always your backup.

Conjunction 'wúlùn... yǒngyuǎn' (no matter... always).

他向家人隐瞒了自己的病情。

He hid his illness from his family.

Verb 'yǐnmán' (hide/conceal).

这种深厚的感情超越了普通的家人关系。

This deep emotion transcends ordinary family relationships.

Verb 'chāoyuè' (transcend).

在法律上，他已经不再是她的家人。

Legally, he is no longer her family member.

Adverbial 'zài fǎlǜ shàng' (legally).

家人的期盼往往成为年轻人沉重的负担。

The expectations of family often become a heavy burden for young people.

Noun 'qīpàn' (expectations/hopes).

他为了事业，牺牲了与家人团聚的机会。

For the sake of his career, he sacrificed opportunities to reunite with family.

Verb 'xīshēng' (sacrifice).

在那个动荡的年代，许多人与家人失散了。

In those turbulent times, many people were separated from their families.

Verb 'shīsàn' (to be separated/lost).

他始终无法原谅伤害过他家人的那个人。

He could never forgive the person who hurt his family.

Structure 'shǐzhōng wúfǎ' (always unable to).

家人的支持是他能够走出困境的关键。

The support of his family was the key to his being able to get out of the predicament.

Noun 'guānjiàn' (key/crucial point).

他用一生的时间来偿还对家人的亏欠。

He spent his whole life repaying his debt to his family.

Verb 'chánghuán' (repay).

家人的羁绊，既是温暖的港湾，也是沉重的枷锁。

The bonds of family are both a warm harbor and a heavy shackle.

Literary parallel structure 'jì shì... yě shì'.

他笔下的家人形象，充满了悲剧色彩。

The family figures in his writing are full of tragic colors.

Structure 'bǐ xià' (under the pen/in the writing of).

在现代社会，家人的定义正在发生深刻的变革。

In modern society, the definition of family is undergoing profound transformation.

Noun 'biàngé' (transformation/reform).

他试图在个人自由与家人责任之间寻找平衡。

He tried to find a balance between personal freedom and family responsibility.

Structure 'zài... zhī jiān' (between...).

家人的离去让他对人生有了全新的感悟。

The passing of his family members gave him a completely new insight into life.

Noun 'gǎnwù' (insight/realization).

这种对家人的极度依赖，反映了其心理上的不成熟。

This extreme dependence on family reflects his psychological immaturity.

Verb 'fǎnyìng' (reflect).

他为了维护家人的名誉，不惜付出一切代价。

In order to protect the family's reputation, he did not hesitate to pay any price.

Idiomatic 'bùxī fùchū yīqiè dàijià'.

家人的温情是抵御外界严寒的最后一道防线。

The warmth of family is the last line of defense against the coldness of the outside world.

Metaphorical 'fángxiàn' (defense line).

Synonyms

家庭亲人家属家里人眷属亲戚门第府上

Antonyms

外人陌生人仇人路人

Common Collocations

照顾家人

想念家人

介绍家人

陪伴家人

全家人

为了家人

保护家人

家人的支持

家人的意见

离开家人

Common Phrases

我家人

— My family (intimate/natural).

我家人都很忙。

你家人

— Your family (neutral).

你家人身体好吗？

一家人

— The whole family / like one family.

我们都是一家人。

家人的爱

— Family love.

家人的爱是无私的。

和家人在一起

— Being with family.

我最喜欢和家人在一起。

远方的家人

— Family members far away.

他写信给远方的家人。

家人的健康

— Family's health.

家人的健康最重要。

作为家人

— As a family member.

作为家人，我应该帮你。

失去家人

— To lose family members.

他在战争中失去了家人。

家人的关怀

— Family's care/concern.

我感受到了家人的关怀。

Often Confused With

家人 vs 家

家 is the physical house or the abstract concept of home. 家人 are the people.

家人 vs 家庭

家庭 is the family unit or household. Use it for formal descriptions (e.g., family background).

家人 vs 亲人

亲人 is broader and more emotional, including all blood relatives and very close friends.

Idioms & Expressions

"家喻户晓"

— Known to every household; widely known.

这个故事在中国家喻户晓。

Formal

"成家立业"

— To get married and start a career.

他已经三十岁了，该成家立业了。

Neutral

"家徒四壁"

— To have nothing but four bare walls; very poor.

他家徒四壁，生活非常艰苦。

Literary

"家丑不可外扬"

— Family scandals should not be made public.

俗话说，家丑不可外扬。

Colloquial

"四海为家"

— To make one's home anywhere; to lead a wandering life.

他是个海员，多年来四海为家。

Neutral

"如数家珍"

— As if counting one's family treasures; to be very familiar with something.

他对这些古董如数家珍。

Literary

"家常便饭"

— A common occurrence; home-cooked meal.

加班对他来说是家常便饭。

Neutral

"欢聚一堂"

— To gather happily in one hall/place.

过年时，全家人欢聚一堂。

Formal

"天伦之乐"

— The happiness of family life.

他在家享受天伦之乐。

Literary

"倾家荡产"

— To lose one's entire family fortune.

他因为赌博而倾家荡产。

Neutral

Easily Confused

家人 vs 家

Both translate to 'family' in some contexts.

家 is the place; 家人 are the people. You live in a 家, you love your 家人.

我家很大，我家人很多。

家人 vs 家庭

Both mean 'family'.

家庭 is the institution (like 'the Smith family unit'). 家人 is the group of people.

他有一个幸福的家庭，他很爱他的家人。

家人 vs 亲戚

Both refer to relatives.

亲戚 usually refers to extended family (uncles, cousins). 家人 usually refers to immediate family.

过年时，很多亲戚来我家看我的家人。

家人 vs 家属

Both mean family members.

家属 is formal/legal (e.g., 'next of kin'). 家人 is personal/warm.

医生在和家属谈话，但他的家人很担心。

家人 vs 家里人

They mean the same thing.

家里人 is more colloquial and common in Northern China.

我家里人都挺好的。

Sentence Patterns

我爱我的[家人]。

我爱我的家人。

我家有[number]口人。

我家有五口人。

[家人]都[verb]。

我家人都喜欢吃面。

和[家人]一起[verb]。

和家人一起看电视。

为了[家人]，我[action]。

为了家人，我决定努力工作。

对[家人]来说，[statement]。

对家人来说，平安最重要。

[家人]的支持是[noun]。

家人的支持是我成功的动力。

超越了[家人]的关系。

这种友谊超越了家人的关系。

Word Family

Nouns

家庭 (family unit)

家乡 (hometown)

家具 (furniture)

家务 (housework)

家产 (family property)

Verbs

成家 (to get married/start a family)

搬家 (to move house)

当家 (to manage a household)

Adjectives

家用的 (for home use)

家常的 (home-style/common)

亲戚 (relatives)

父母 (parents)

兄弟 (brothers)

姐妹 (sisters)

祖父母 (grandparents)

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in both spoken and written Chinese.

Common Mistakes

Using '家' to mean family members. → 我爱我的家人。
You love the people (家人), not the building (家).
Using '个' for family size in a household. → 我家有五口人。
While '个' is understood, '口' is the standard measure word for household members.
Saying '我是家人' to mean 'I am at home'. → 我在家。
'我是家人' means 'I am a family member', which sounds strange out of context.
Using '家庭' in casual conversation. → 我和家人去吃饭。
'家庭' is too formal for a casual dinner outing.
Putting '都' before '家人'. → 我家人都很好。
In Chinese, 'all' (都) must come after the subject it refers to.

Tips

Drop the 'De'

To sound like a native, drop the 'de' (的) when saying 'my family' (我家人) or 'your family' (你家人). It shows a closer, more natural connection.

Spring Festival Context

If you are in China during the Spring Festival, you will hear '家人' constantly. It's the ultimate time for '家人团圆' (family reunion).

People vs. Unit

Always remember: '家人' are the people you can hug. '家庭' is the abstract unit you put on a tax form.

The Retroflex R

Don't forget to curl your tongue slightly for the 'r' in 'rén'. It's not a flat 'r' like in some European languages.

Polite Inquiries

Asking '你家人好吗？' is a very polite and warm way to start a conversation with a Chinese friend.

Stroke Order

The character '家' has a specific stroke order. Writing it correctly will help you remember the structure and make your handwriting look better.

Context Clues

If you hear 'kǒu' (口) followed by 'rén' (人), the speaker is almost certainly talking about the number of '家人' they have.

Singular or Plural

Don't look for a plural marker like 's'. '家人' is both 'family member' and 'family members'. The context will tell you which one it is.

Learn One Idiom

Start with '家喻户晓' (known to every family). It's a great way to use the character '家' in a more advanced way.

Visualizing

Visualize your own family members standing under a big roof. That image is '家人'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'J'olly 'A'unt (jiā) and a 'R'eal 'E'nergetic 'N'ephew (rén) sitting together in a house. They are your 家人.

Visual Association

Visualize a house (家) with several people (人) inside it, all smiling and eating together.

Word Web

家 (Home) 人 (Person) 家庭 (Family Unit) 亲人 (Loved Ones) 家乡 (Hometown) 全家 (Whole Family) 回家 (Go Home) 家务 (Housework)

Challenge

Try to name five of your '家人' in Chinese (e.g., 爸爸, 妈妈) and say one thing they like to do.

Word Origin

The term '家人' dates back to ancient Chinese texts. '家' (jiā) originally depicted a pig under a roof, symbolizing a settled domestic life. '人' (rén) is a pictograph of a human being. Together, they have meant 'members of a household' for over two millennia.

Original meaning: People living in the same house; household members.

Sino-Tibetan

Cultural Context

Be aware that for some, '家人' might be a sensitive topic if they have lost relatives or have a strained relationship. However, in general conversation, it is a safe and polite topic.

In English, 'family' can be a cold or warm word. In Chinese, '家人' is almost always warm. English speakers might use 'family' to mean their ancestors, while '家人' usually means living relatives you interact with.

以家人之名 (Go Ahead) - A popular TV drama about non-biological family. 家 (Family) - A famous novel by Ba Jin about the struggles of a traditional family. 电影《你好，李焕英》 (Hi, Mom) - A movie centered on family love.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Introductions

这是我的家人。
让我介绍一下我家人。
你见过我家人吗？
我想带你见我家人。

Holidays

回家看家人。
和家人吃年夜饭。
给家人拜年。
想念远方的家人。

Daily Chat

你家人身体好吗？
我家人都很忙。
我周末要陪家人。
我家人不喜欢吃辣。

Workplace

我家人病了，我要请假。
我可以带家人参加聚会吗？
我家人支持我的工作。
为了家人，我要努力赚钱。

Travel

我和家人一起旅游。
给家人买纪念品。
给家人打个电话。
我想念家人的菜。

Conversation Starters

"你家有几口人？ (How many people are in your family?)"

"你的家人住在哪里？ (Where does your family live?)"

"你经常和家人见面吗？ (Do you see your family often?)"

"你的家人做什么工作？ (What do your family members do?)"

"你和家人的关系怎么样？ (How is your relationship with your family?)"

Journal Prompts

写一写你最喜欢的家人。(Write about your favorite family member.)

描述一次你和家人一起做的开心的事情。(Describe a happy thing you did with your family.)

家人对你来说意味着什么？(What does family mean to you?)

你的家人如何支持你的学习？(How does your family support your studies?)

你想对你的家人说些什么？(What do you want to say to your family?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, it can. For example, '他是我的家人' means 'He is my family member'. The word is flexible and can be singular or plural.

Yes, it is grammatically correct to say '三个家人'. However, when stating the total number of people in your household, '三口人' is much more idiomatic and traditional.

Yes! In modern China, many pet owners refer to their dogs or cats as '家人' to show they are part of the family.

There is no difference in meaning. '我家人' is just more informal and common in spoken Chinese, as 'de' is often dropped for close relationships.

It is neutral. It is appropriate for almost any situation, from a casual chat with friends to a semi-formal interview.

It can. Depending on how close you are, you might consider your cousins as '家人', especially if you grew up together.

You can use '亲戚' (qīnqi) for relatives in general, or '大家庭' (dà jiātíng) for a large extended family.

In ancient China, pigs were valuable livestock. Keeping a pig under your roof (宀) meant you had food and stability, which defined a 'home' (家).

Sometimes. Some companies use it to address employees or customers to create a sense of loyalty and intimacy, but it's primarily a personal word.

Yes, they are included in '家人'. If someone asks about your '家人', they are asking about your spouse as well.