Translation and Meaning of: 家 - ie

If you are learning Japanese, you may have come across the word 家[いえ] — a simple term, but packed with cultural and historical layers. In this article, we will explore everything from the etymology to the everyday use of this kanji, which goes far beyond the basic meaning of "house." Here at Suki Nihongo, the largest online Japanese dictionary, you will also find practical examples to include in your Anki and boost your studies. Let's uncover curiosities, memorization tips, and even puns that the Japanese love to use in their daily lives.

Why is this word so present in the Japanese vocabulary? Besides being essential to describe a home, 家[いえ] carries nuances of family, tradition, and even identity. If you've ever searched on Google about the origin of this kanji or how to differentiate it from other similar terms, you're in the right place. Let's dive into every detail, from the stroke of the pictogram to popular expressions that every Japanese language learner should know.

Etymology and Origin of the Kanji 家

The kanji 家 is a visual and semantic combination of two elements: the radical 宀 (which represents a roof) and the character 豕 (domestic pig). Yes, you read that right — the original idea refers to a space where animals and humans coexist. In ancient China, where the character originated, this was common, and the symbol was eventually adopted by Japanese with the same meaning of "home."

It is interesting to note that, while in Portuguese "casa" comes from the Latin "casa" (hut), in Japanese the connection to rural life is even stronger. The kanji not only describes the physical structure but also the function of the space. Over time, いえ came to include the concept of family, as in 田中家[たなかけ] (Tanaka family). This duality — construction and social group — makes it one of the most versatile kanjis in the language.

Use in Daily Life and Popular Expressions

In daily life, the Japanese use 家 in contexts ranging from casual to formal. Phrases like 家に帰る[いえにかえる] ("going back home") are as common as our "I’m going home." But there are less obvious uses: in 家賃[やちん] (rent), the kanji appears combined, showing its connection to housing. Another example is 作家[さっか] (writer), where it metaphorically indicates "someone who works under a roof."

An interesting fact? Many puns arise from the alternative reading や. In restaurant names, like ラーメン家[らーめんや], the kanji takes on an air of "specialist" — almost like our "little house of..." for establishments. And who hasn't heard the expression 家を建てる[いえをたてる] (to build a house) in dramas about new beginnings? These details show how the word is rooted in culture.

Tips for Memorizing and Writing Correctly

To avoid confusing 家 with similar kanjis like 室[しつ] (room), remember the "pig under the roof." Visualizing the stroke helps: start with the roof (宀), then draw the animal (豕) with its four "legs" underneath. A common mistake is to reverse the order of the strokes — practice writing words like 家族[かぞく] (family) to solidify the movement.

Want an unbeatable tip? Associate the radical 宀 with other kanjis related to housing, such as 安[あん] (safe) or 宿[しゅく] (inn). Creating flashcards with images of traditional Japanese houses also works well, especially if you link it to the sound いえ. And when in doubt about usage, ask yourself: does this refer to a physical space or a group? The answer usually clarifies which term to apply.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

住まい (Sumai) - Residence, a place where one lives
住居 (Jūkyo) - Housing, residence
家屋 (Kaoku) - Residential building, a structure that houses a home
家庭 (Katei) - Family, home in a more intimate and familiar sense.
家宅 (Kataku) - Residence, the place where the family lives, more formal
家世 (Kasei) - Family lineage, origin of a family
家系 (Kakei) - Family tree, lineage
家族 (Kazoku) - Family, a group of people living together
家人 (Kajin) - Family members, people who live in the same house.
家人たち (Kajin-tachi) - Family members, used to emphasize a group of people from the same family.

Related words

家出

iede

fleeing from home; leaving the home

家主

ienushi

lordship

家賃

yachin

rent

農家

nouka

farmer; farming family

実業家

jitsugyouka

industrial; entrepreneur

実家

jika

(your parents) at home

作家

saka

author; writer; novelist; artist

国家

koka

state; country; nation

家来

kerai

retainer; righteousness; servant

画家

gaka

painter; artist

家

Romaji: ie
Kana: いえ
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: house

Meaning in English: House, home

Definition: A building where people live.

Quick Access
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How to Write in Japanese - (家) ie

See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese. (家) ie:

Example Sentences - (家) ie

See below some example sentences:

条約は国家間の合意を示します。

Jouyaku wa kokka-kan no gōi o shimeshimasu.

The treaty shows an agreement between nations.

条約 (jōyaku) - treaty
国家 (kokka) - nations, countries
間 (kan) - between
合意 (gōi) - agreement
示します (shimeshimasu) - show, represent

材木を使って家を建てる。

Zaimoku o tsukatte ie o tateru

Build a house using wood.

材木 - means "wood for construction".
を - particle that indicates the direct object of the action.
使って - verb form of the verb 使う (tsukau), which means "to use".
家 - means "home".
を - particle that indicates the direct object of the action.
建てる - verb form of the verb 建てる (tateru), which means "to build".

炊事は家事の中でも重要な役割を担っています。

Suiji wa kaji no naka demo juuyou na yakuwari wo ninatte imasu

Cooking is an important role among household chores.

Cooking plays an important role in housework.

炊事 - Food preparation, kitchen
家事 - Housework
中でも - Among them, especially
重要な - Important
役割を担っています - Plays a role

行政は国家の重要な役割です。

Gyōsei wa kokka no jūyōna yakuwari desu

Administration is an important role of the state.

The government plays an important role in the nation.

行政 (gyousei) - administration
国家 (kokka) - state
重要な (juuyou na) - important
役割 (yakuwari) - Paper, function
です (desu) - verb to be"

統制は国家の安定に必要な要素です。

Tōsei wa kokka no antei ni hitsuyōna yōso desu

Control is a necessary element for the stability of a nation.

Control is a necessary element of nation stability.

統制 - Control, regulation
は - Topic particle
国家 - Estado, nação
の - Possession particle
安定 - stability
に - target particle
必要 - necessary
な - attribute particle
要素 - element
です - verb to be

私は祖父から受け継いだ家族の伝統を大切にしています。

Watashi wa sofu kara uketsuguida kazoku no dentō o taisetsu ni shiteimasu

I value my family tradition that I inherited from my grandfather.

I value the family tradition inherited from my grandfather.

私 - The personal pronoun that means "I" in Japanese.
は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
祖父 - noun meaning "grandfather" in Japanese
から - particle that indicates the origin or starting point
受け継いだ - verb meaning "to inherit" or "to receive as an inheritance"
家族 - noun meaning "family" in Japanese
の - particle that indicates possession or belonging
伝統 - noun meaning "tradition" in Japanese
を - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
大切にしています - verbal expression that means "to value" or "to give importance"

私は家に入る。

Watashi wa ie ni hairu

I go into the house.

I enter the house.

私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
家 (ie) - noun that means "house"
に (ni) - Indicates the direction or location where the action takes place, in this case "into the house"
入る (hairu) - verb that means "to enter"

福は家族と健康にある。

Fuku wa kazoku to kenkou ni aru

Happiness is in family and health.

Fuku is in family and health.