JLPT N5 Japanese Family Vocabulary
The dual-register family terms (humble vs honorific) every Japanese learner needs at N5.
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Why this list
Family terms depend on who is speaking, who is listening, and whether the relative is being described or addressed. Not every term has separate own-family and other-family forms.
In a formal conversation with someone outside your family, 父 (ちち, chichi, "my father") is a common way to refer to your father. When speaking directly to him, お父さん (おとうさん, otōsan, "Dad") may fit your family's practice. Familiar usage varies.
The 26 words
| Kanji | Kana | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| 家族 | かぞく | kazoku | family |
| 両親 | りょうしん | ryōshin | parents (formal) |
| 父 | ちち | chichi | father (own; humble) |
| お父さん | おとうさん | otōsan | father (someone else's; honorific) |
| 母 | はは | haha | mother (own; humble) |
| お母さん | おかあさん | okāsan | mother (someone else's; honorific) |
| 兄 | あに | ani | older brother (own) |
| お兄さん | おにいさん | onīsan | older brother (someone else's) |
| 姉 | あね | ane | older sister (own) |
| お姉さん | おねえさん | onēsan | older sister (someone else's) |
| 弟 | おとうと | otōto | younger brother |
| 妹 | いもうと | imōto | younger sister |
| 兄弟 | きょうだい | kyōdai | siblings |
| 祖父 | そふ | sofu | grandfather (own) |
| おじいさん | おじいさん | ojīsan | grandfather (someone else's) |
| 祖母 | そぼ | sobo | grandmother (own) |
| おばあさん | おばあさん | obāsan | grandmother (someone else's) |
| おじさん | おじさん | ojisan | uncle; middle-aged man |
| おばさん | おばさん | obasan | aunt; middle-aged woman |
| 夫 | おっと | otto | husband (own) |
| 妻 | つま | tsuma | wife (own) |
| ご主人 | ごしゅじん | goshujin | husband (someone else's) |
| 奥さん | おくさん | okusan | wife (someone else's) |
| 子供 | こども | kodomo | child |
| 息子 | むすこ | musuko | son (own) |
| 娘 | むすめ | musume | daughter (own) |
Common questions
Why do some Japanese family words have two forms?+
Some terms distinguish formal reference to your own relative from respectful reference to someone else's. Direct address is a separate choice, and familiar family usage can differ. Not every family word has a two-form pair.
Can I just use the honorific form for everything?+
No. In a formal conversation outside your family, use own-family reference terms for your parents. Calling to a parent at home is a different situation. Forms used for someone else's parent can also be familiar family address terms. There is no rule that requires one form in every conversation.
Do family address terms vary?+
Yes. Familiar ways of addressing a parent vary by family and situation. Use the form usual in that relationship. When describing your own parent to someone outside the family in a formal setting, use the appropriate own-family reference term.
Related
These 26 words are part of this site's themed N5 editorial selection. Inku's mobile app expands that into a 551-card N5 bundle with bundled pronunciation audio and FSRS spaced review. Download Inku.
