To divide family property and separate households, often marking the transition from a joint family to independent units.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Divide family property and live separately.
- Common in traditional Asian families.
- Marks the end of a big family unit.
Overview
分家（fēnjiā）是一个汉语词语，主要指家庭成员之间，特别是兄弟之间，在父母在世时或父母去世后，根据一定的规矩或协议，将原有的家庭财产（如房产、土地、金钱等）分割开来，各自独立生活。这个过程通常伴随着原大家庭的解体和新独立小家庭的形成。分家是许多亚洲文化中，尤其是在传统农业社会中，一种常见的家庭变动形式，它既是经济上的分割，也是家庭结构和社会关系上的重组。
分家通常作为动词使用，后面可以跟具体的财产名称，表示分割的是什么。例如，“分家产”、“分房子”。在口语中，人们也常用“分家”来描述一个大家庭不再像以前那样紧密地生活在一起，而是各自独立的情况。例如，“他们兄弟几个长大了，打算分家。” 这个词语带有一定的传统色彩，在现代社会，尤其是在城市中，纯粹意义上的分家可能不如过去普遍，但其核心含义——家庭成员的独立和财产的分割——仍然存在。
分家经常出现在讨论家庭财产继承、兄弟关系、农村生活、传统习俗等话题中。例如，在处理遗产时，可能会涉及到分家；在描述家庭成员的独立生活状态时，也会用到分家。在一些文学作品或影视剧中，分家也是一个常见的故事情节，用来展现家庭内部的矛盾、亲情的变化以及社会经济的发展对家庭结构的影响。
Examples
他们兄弟几个长大了，打算分家。
everydayThe brothers have grown up and plan to divide the family property and live separately.
根据遗嘱，父母的财产需要公平分家。
formalAccording to the will, the parents' property needs to be divided fairly among the heirs.
自从分家以后，我们就不怎么走动了。
informalEver since we split the family, we haven't interacted much.
在某些传统社会结构中，分家是成年男性独立的重要标志。
academicIn some traditional social structures, dividing the family property was an important marker of independence for adult males.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
分家立业
divide the family property and start one's own business/career
分家析产
divide family property
不分家
not divide the family property; remain a joint family
Often Confused With
While '分家' implies dividing property, it specifically refers to the separation of a family unit into independent households. '分财产' is a broader term focusing solely on the act of dividing assets, which could happen in various contexts like divorce or business dissolution, not necessarily involving family separation.
'析产' is a more formal and legalistic term, often used in contexts like inheritance disputes or legal divisions of property. It focuses on the technical breakdown and distribution of assets, whereas '分家' carries a stronger social and familial connotation of establishing separate households.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The term '分家' is primarily used in contexts related to traditional family structures and property division. It carries a sense of historical and cultural weight. While the practice might be less common in modern urban settings, the concept remains relevant when discussing family dynamics, inheritance, and the transition to independence.
Common Mistakes
Learners might overuse '分家' in situations where simply 'living separately' or 'being independent' is meant, without the explicit act of property division. Also, confusing it with general 'dividing property' without the family context can lead to misunderstandings.
Tips
Understand the Family Unit
分家 signifies a shift from a collective family unit to individual households. Think of it as brothers no longer sharing one roof and one pot.
Potential for Conflict
The process of dividing property can sometimes lead to disputes among family members. It requires careful negotiation and fairness.
Traditional Significance
In many traditional societies,分家 was a crucial step for young men to establish their own households and prove their independence and capability.
Word Origin
The word '分家' is composed of '分' (fēn), meaning 'to divide' or 'to separate', and '家' (jiā), meaning 'family' or 'home'. Together, they literally mean 'to divide the family', referring to the division of property and households.
Cultural Context
In many East Asian cultures, '分家' was a significant rite of passage, allowing married sons to establish their own households, manage their own farms or businesses, and raise their own families, thus contributing to the continuation of the lineage.
Memory Tip
Imagine a large family tree branching out into smaller, separate trees. Each small tree is a '家' (family) that has been '分' (divided) from the main one.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions不一定。虽然父母去世后是分家最常见的时候，但有时在父母健在且同意的情况下，子女们也可能因为各种原因选择分家。
分家主要指财产的分割，但它也常常伴随着家庭成员在生活上的分离，各自组成独立的家庭单位。
“分家”更侧重于家庭整体的结构性变化，即从一个大家庭变成几个小家庭。“分家产”则更具体地指分割家庭的财产。
在城市化进程和现代生活方式的影响下，纯粹意义上的分家可能不如过去普遍。但家庭成员独立生活、各自管理财产的趋势依然存在。
Test Yourself
兄弟们长大成人后，决定____，各自成家立业。
句意是兄弟们分开各自发展，因此“分家”最合适。
下列哪个选项最能解释“分家”？
分家的核心含义就是财产的分割和家庭成员的独立。
请用“父母”、“同意”、“分家”和“我们”组成一个句子。
这是一个主谓宾结构完整的句子，表达了父母同意子女分家的意思。
Score: /3
Summary
To divide family property and separate households, often marking the transition from a joint family to independent units.
- Divide family property and live separately.
- Common in traditional Asian families.
- Marks the end of a big family unit.
Understand the Family Unit
分家 signifies a shift from a collective family unit to individual households. Think of it as brothers no longer sharing one roof and one pot.
Potential for Conflict
The process of dividing property can sometimes lead to disputes among family members. It requires careful negotiation and fairness.
Traditional Significance
In many traditional societies,分家 was a crucial step for young men to establish their own households and prove their independence and capability.
Examples
4 of 4他们兄弟几个长大了，打算分家。
The brothers have grown up and plan to divide the family property and live separately.
根据遗嘱，父母的财产需要公平分家。
According to the will, the parents' property needs to be divided fairly among the heirs.
自从分家以后，我们就不怎么走动了。
Ever since we split the family, we haven't interacted much.
在某些传统社会结构中，分家是成年男性独立的重要标志。
In some traditional social structures, dividing the family property was an important marker of independence for adult males.
