Let's talk about 遺族 (izoku), which means 'bereaved family' or 'surviving family'. It's a B1 level noun, so you'll definitely encounter it. Understanding how to use it correctly in sentences is key to sounding natural.
§ Basic Usage with Particles
As a noun, 遺族 (izoku) frequently pairs with particles like の (no), が (ga), を (o), and に (ni). The particle you choose depends on its role in the sentence.
- Using の (no) for possession or description
- When 遺族 (izoku) describes another noun, you'll often use の (no). Think of it like the English possessive 's or an adjective.
遺族の気持ちを察する (Izoku no kimochi o sassuru).
To empathize with the feelings of the bereaved family.
遺族年金 (Izoku nenkin).
Survivor's pension.
- Using が (ga) as the subject
- When 遺族 (izoku) is the one performing an action or is the focus of the sentence, が (ga) marks it as the subject.
遺族が補償を求める (Izoku ga hoshō o motomeru).
The bereaved family demands compensation.
- Using を (o) as the direct object
- If 遺族 (izoku) is the recipient of an action, を (o) is the particle you need.
遺族を支援する (Izoku o shien suru).
To support the bereaved family.
- Using に (ni) for indirect object or location
- に (ni) can indicate the indirect object (to whom/what) or a location. With 遺族 (izoku), it often shows who an action is directed towards.
遺族に連絡する (Izoku ni renraku suru).
To contact the bereaved family.
§ Common Phrases and Patterns
Beyond single particles, 遺族 (izoku) appears in several common phrases. Pay attention to these patterns, as they are very natural-sounding.
- 遺族の方々 (izoku no katagata): This is a polite way to refer to 'the bereaved families'. 方々 (katagata) is a pluralizing and honorific suffix.
遺族の方々に心からお悔やみ申し上げます (Izoku no katagata ni kokoro kara okuyami mōshiagemasu).
I offer my deepest condolences to the bereaved families.
- 遺族感情 (izoku kanjō): This phrase refers to 'the feelings or sentiments of the bereaved family'. It often comes up in discussions about how the family is coping or how their wishes should be considered.
遺族感情に配慮する (Izoku kanjō ni hairyo suru).
To consider the feelings of the bereaved family.
- 遺族補償 (izoku hoshō): This means 'bereaved family compensation' or 'survivor's compensation'. It's a formal term often used in legal or administrative contexts.
遺族補償を申請する (Izoku hoshō o shinsei suru).
To apply for survivor's compensation.
§ Important Considerations
When using 遺族 (izoku), keep these points in mind:
Mastering 遺族 (izoku) means more than just knowing its definition; it's about understanding its appropriate usage in context, especially with the right particles and in common phrases. Keep practicing, and you'll use it confidently.
Frequentemente confundido com
Refers to the deceased person, not the family.
Refers to the belongings of the deceased, not the family.
Similar in meaning but less formal than 遺族.
Fácil de confundir
Often confused with '遺族' because both relate to someone who has passed away.
'故人' refers to the deceased person themselves, while '遺族' refers to the family left behind.
故人を偲んで、静かに手を合わせる。(We quietly clasped our hands in memory of the deceased.)
Shares the '遺' kanji and relates to the deceased, making it easy to mix up with '遺族'.
'遺品' are the belongings left by the deceased, whereas '遺族' are the surviving family members.
故人の遺品を整理する。(To sort through the deceased's belongings.)
This phrase has a very similar meaning to '遺族' but is less formal.
'遺族' is a more formal and official term, often used in news or legal contexts. '残された家族' is a more general and softer way to say 'the family left behind'.
事故で残された家族は悲しみに暮れている。(The family left behind by the accident is plunged into sorrow.)
Related to funerals and the family of the deceased, so learners might incorrectly associate it with '遺族'.
'喪主' is the chief mourner, typically the closest family member who takes responsibility for the funeral. '遺族' refers to all surviving family members collectively.
喪主は故人の長男が務めた。(The eldest son of the deceased served as chief mourner.)
Refers to a surviving family member, specifically a wife, which can cause confusion with the broader term '遺族'.
'未亡人' specifically means a widow. '遺族' is a general term for any surviving family member (husband, wife, children, parents, etc.).
彼女は若くして未亡人となった。(She became a widow at a young age.)
Memorize
Mnemônico
Imagine a family who has **lost** (遺 - i) a loved one, and they are now the **family** (族 - zoku) that remains. The 'i' in 遺 sounds a bit like 'e' in 'bereaved,' and 族 (zoku) is the same kanji as in 家族 (kazoku - family).
Associação visual
Picture a group of people dressed in black, standing together at a funeral, representing the 'bereaved family'. You could mentally associate the kanji 遺 (i) with something 'left behind' or 'lost', and 族 (zoku) with a 'group of people'.
Word Web
Desafio
Try to form sentences using 遺族. For example: 1. 彼の突然の死は、遺族に大きな悲しみをもたらした。 (His sudden death brought great sorrow to the bereaved family.) 2. 遺族の感情を尊重することが大切です。 (It is important to respect the feelings of the surviving family.) 3. 事故後、警察は遺族に連絡した。 (After the accident, the police contacted the bereaved family.)
Teste-se 12 perguntas
This sentence means 'They conducted a fundraising activity to support the bereaved family.' The order builds from 'they' to the action of 'fundraising'.
This sentence means 'After the accident, deep sorrow remained for the bereaved family.' The structure follows a logical flow from event to consequence.
This sentence means 'The government decided to pay compensation to the bereaved families of the disaster.' The sentence progresses from the subject (government) to its action and the beneficiaries.
Choose the most appropriate word to complete the sentence: 事故の後、彼の___は補償を求めた。
The context of '事故の後' (after the accident) and '補償を求めた' (sought compensation) strongly suggests that the people seeking compensation are those who survived the deceased, which is the meaning of 遺族. 家族 (family) is too broad and doesn't specifically imply loss of life. 親戚 (relatives) and 隣人 (neighbors) are not directly implied by the context of compensation for an accident.
Which word best fits the description: 'People who are left behind after someone's death and are often involved in funeral arrangements or inheritance issues'?
The description clearly refers to the 'bereaved family' or 'surviving family,' which is the definition of 遺族. 同僚 (colleagues), 友人 (friends), and 知人 (acquaintances) do not carry the specific meaning of being left behind after a death in the context of legal or familial responsibilities.
ある有名人が亡くなった際、彼の___はメディアの注目を集めた。Which word completes this sentence accurately?
When a famous person dies, it is typically their immediate family or surviving family (遺族) who attract media attention regarding their passing and its aftermath. While fans, ex-partners, or business partners might also be involved, 遺族 specifically refers to those who are bereaved and directly affected by the death in a familial sense.
「遺族」という言葉は、亡くなった人の生前の友人や知人を指す。
「遺族」とは、亡くなった人の家族、特に配偶者や子供など、その死によって悲嘆に暮れる遺された家族を指します。生前の友人や知人を含める広範な意味ではありません。
災害によって家を失った人々を「遺族」と呼ぶことがある。
「遺族」は、人の死によって遺された家族を指す言葉であり、災害で家を失った人々を指すものではありません。家を失った人々は「被災者」などと呼ばれます。
「遺族年金」は、亡くなった厚生年金加入者の遺族に支給される年金である。
「遺族年金」とは、国民年金や厚生年金の被保険者が死亡した場合に、その遺族に対して支給される年金制度のことです。この文は「遺族」の正しい文脈を示しています。
/ 12 correct
Perfect score!
Exemplo
事故の遺族に心よりお悔やみ申し上げます。
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養親
B2Adoptive parent.
