Family
Concept: Uchi (Inside) vs Soto (Outside)
Japanese uses different words depending on whose family you are talking about.
• My Family (Humble): Use when talking about your family to others.
• Others' (Honorific): Use for others' family, or when talking to your own elders.
Usage Examples
About Own Family
Talking to a friend about your mother
私の母は東京にいます。
My mother is in Tokyo.
About Others' Family
Asking a friend about their mother
お母さんは元気ですか？
Is your mother well?
Addressing Elders
Calling your mother
お母さん、ちょっと来て。
Mom, come here a second.
Immediate Family
Grandfather
祖父
そふ
Grandmother
祖母
そぼ
Father
父
ちち
Casual / Also: パパ
Mother
母
はは
Casual / Also: ママ
Older Brother
兄
あに
Older Sister
姉
あね
Younger Brother
弟
おとうと
Younger Sister
妹
いもうと
Siblings
兄弟
きょうだい
Husband
夫
おっと
Casual / Also: 主人 (しゅじん), 旦那 (だんな)
Wife
妻
つま
Casual / Also: 家内 (かない), 嫁 (よめ)
Spouse
配偶者
はいぐうしゃ
Son
息子
むすこ
Daughter
娘
むすめ
Child
子供
こども
Grandchild
孫
まご
Extended & In-laws
Uncle
叔父/伯父
おじ
Aunt
叔母/伯母
おば
Cousin
従兄弟/従姉妹
いとこ
Nephew
甥
おい
Niece
姪
めい
Father-in-law
義父
ぎふ
Mother-in-law
義母
ぎぼ
Other Relationships
Boyfriend
彼氏
かれし
Girlfriend
彼女
かのじょ
Lover
恋人
こいびと
Friend
友達
ともだち
Best Friend
親友
しんゆう