# JLPT N5 Japanese Family Vocabulary

> Learn Japanese family words and how terms used to refer to your family can differ by situation.

Canonical: https://inkujapanese.com/jlpt/n5/vocabulary/family
Last updated: 2026-04-30

The dual-register family terms (humble vs honorific) every Japanese learner needs at N5.

[Bao H.](https://inkujapanese.com/authors/bao-hua)Updated April 30, 20266 min read

## Short answer

When describing your own parents to someone outside the family in a formal setting, use the own-family reference terms. Direct address and familiar family use can differ; not every family word has two forms.

## 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

- [Keigo (humble vs honorific)](https://inkujapanese.com/japanese/keigo)

- [JLPT N5 study guide](https://inkujapanese.com/jlpt/n5)

- [Essential phrases](https://inkujapanese.com/japanese/phrases)

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](https://inkujapanese.com/).