Translation and Meaning of: 戸籍 - koseki

The Japanese word 戸籍[こせき] is an essential term for understanding bureaucratic and social aspects of Japan. If you've ever wondered what it means, how to use it, or what its importance is in Japanese daily life, this article will clarify everything. We will explore everything from its basic meaning to cultural curiosities that make this word so relevant.

In addition to explaining the translation and use of 戸籍, we will address how it appears in legal and family contexts. If you study Japanese or have an interest in the culture of the country, understanding this word can be an important step to deepen your knowledge. Suki Nihongo, the best online Japanese dictionary, provides details that go beyond a simple definition.

Meaning and translation of 戸籍

戸籍 [こせき] is translated as "family register" or "civil registry." It refers to the Japanese system of family registration, which documents information such as births, marriages, divorces, and deaths. This register is managed by the government and serves as an official database regarding family structure in Japan.

Unlike Western systems, where each individual has a separate record, the 戸籍 traditionally groups an entire family into a single document. This reflects the importance of family unity in Japanese society. Although recent reforms have modernized the system, the concept still carries significant cultural weight.

Origin and Historical Context

The 戸籍 system has ancient roots, dating back to the Nara period (710-794), when Japan began to adopt administrative models from China. However, the modern form was established during the Meiji Era (1868-1912), as part of the reforms to centralize the government and modernize the country.

Originally, the 戸籍 served for population control and tax collection. Over time, it became an essential legal instrument for defining family relations and civil rights. To this day, it influences everything from inheritances to nationality issues, demonstrating how historical structures remain relevant in contemporary Japan.

Cultural use and social importance

In Japan, the 戸籍 goes beyond a mere bureaucratic document. It reflects social values, such as the emphasis on family as the basic unit of society. For example, changes in the registry (such as in cases of adoption or marriage) are seen as significant events, not just legal formalities.

Curiously, the system has already been the subject of debates about privacy and individual rights, especially in cases of non-traditional families. Recent reforms aim to balance tradition and modernity, but the 戸籍 (koseki) continues to be a pillar of Japanese administration. For foreigners living in Japan, understanding this concept is crucial in processes such as obtaining visas or recognizing family relationships.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 戸籍 (Koseki) - Family register (official document containing information about the family)
• こせき (Koseki) - Family register (even though 戸籍, but in reading form)
• こじょう (Kojou) - Conditions or records; it may refer to personal or residential information.

戸籍

Romaji: koseki
Kana: こせき
Type: Noun
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: census; family registration

Meaning in English: census;family register

Definition: A system in which the country publicly records the status and family relationships of residents.

Example Sentences - (戸籍) koseki

See below some example sentences:

私の戸籍は東京にあります。

Watashi no koseki wa Tokyo ni arimasu

My family record is in Tokyo.

• 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の - particle that indicates possession, equivalent to "of"
• 戸籍 - family registry or civil registry
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, equivalent to "about"
• 東京 - Tokyo city
• に - particle indicating where something is, equivalent to "in"
• あります - verb meaning "to be present", in the present affirmative