Family in Japanese
In today’s free lesson you’ll learn how to talk about your family in Japanese. Practice your Japanese pronunciation as you listen to the audio, and while you’re at it – take a closer look at the different ways to say 'my' in Japanese.
How to pronounce family in Japanese
Let’s look at some immediate family members:
ちち
父
chichi
father
はは
母
haha
mother
わたし の りょうしん
私の両親
Watashi no ryōshin
My parents
あに
兄
ani
older brother
あね
姉
ane
older sister
おとうと
弟
otōto
younger brother
いもうと
妹
imōto
younger sister
How about your extended family?
おば
oba
(my) aunt
おじ
oji
(my) uncle
そふ
祖父
sofu
(my) grandfather
そぼ
祖母
sobo
(my) grandmother
わたし の いとこ
私の従兄弟（従姉妹）
Watashi no itoko
My cousins
わたし の しんせき
私の親戚
Watashi no shinseki
My relatives
Now for some romantic relationships:
わたし の つま
私の妻
Watashi no tsuma
My wife
わたし の おっと
私の夫
Watashi no otto
My husband
わたし の ボーイフレンド
私のボーイフレンド
Watashi no bōifurendo
My boyfriend
わたし の かれし
私の彼氏
Watashi no kareshi
My boyfriend
わたし の ガールフレンド
私のガールフレンド
Watashi no gārufurendo
My girlfriend
わたし の かのじょ
私の彼女
Watashi no kanojo
My girlfriend
Now, can you use these words in a sentence to describe your family?
わたし の あね（いもうと） は にほん に すんで います
私の姉(妹)は日本に住んでいます
Watashi no ane (imōto) wa nihon ni sunde imasu.
My older sister (younger sister) lives in Japan
わたし の あに（おとうと） は せ が たかい
私の兄(弟)は背が高い
Watashi no ani (otōto) wa se ga takai.
My older brother (younger brother) is tall
Now you're all set to describe your family in Japanese.
Here are a few recommended Japanese lessons to try next!
- Looking for popular entertainment for going out in Japanese? Check out this lesson.
- Saying Happy Birthday in Japanese.
- Talking about your health in Japanese.
Sayaka Matsuura
Rocket Japanese
Rocket Reinforcement
Reinforce your learning from this lesson with the Rocket Reinforcement tools! Improve your knowledge and retention of the Japanese you learn!