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.

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.

Example Sentences - (家) ie

See below some example sentences:

この家は駅に近いです。

Kono ie wa eki ni chikai desu

This house is close to the station.

This house is near the station.

• この - this
• 家 - house
• は - Topic particle
• 駅 - Season
• に - Location particle
• 近い - Next
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

クリスマスは家族と一緒に過ごす特別な日です。

Kurisumasu wa kazoku to issho ni sugosu tokubetsu na hi desu

Christmas is a special day spent with family.

Christmas is a special day to spend with your family.

• クリスマス (kurisumasu) - Christmas
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 家族 (kazoku) - family
• と (to) - connecting particle
• 一緒に (issho ni) - together
• 過ごす (sugosu) - spend time)
• 特別な (tokubetsu na) - special
• 日 (hi) - day
• です (desu) - Verb ser/estar (polite form)

この家具を壁に据え付ける必要があります。

Kono kagu o kabe ni suetsukeru hitsuyō ga arimasu

It is necessary to install these furniture on the wall.

• この - this
• 家具 - mobile
• を - object particle
• 壁 - wall
• に - Location particle
• 据え付ける - install
• 必要 - necessary
• が - subject particle
• あります - exists

この作家の小説はとても面白いです。

Kono sakka no shousetsu wa totemo omoshiroi desu

This writer's novel is very interesting.

• この - demonstrative indicating proximity, in this case "this"
• 作家 - noun that means "writer"
• の - particle indicating possession, in this case "of"
• 小説 - noun that means "romance" or "novel"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "about"
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 面白い - adjective meaning "interesting" or "fun"
• です - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite form of the present, in this case, "é"

この家屋はとても古いです。

Kono kaya wa totemo furui desu

This house is very old.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 家屋 - noun meaning "house" or "residential building"
• は - topic particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 古い - adjective that means "old" or "ancient"
• です - linking verb indicating the existence or state of something

この本は有名な作家の著作です。

Kono hon wa yuumei na sakka no chosaku desu

This book is a work by a famous writer.

This book is a famous writer.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 本 - noun meaning "book"
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 有名な - adjective meaning "famous"
• 作家 - noun that means "writer"
• の - possession particle indicating that the writer is the owner of the work
• 著作 - noun meaning "literary work"
• です - verb "to be" in the polite and polite form

国防は国家の安全を守るために重要です。

Kokubō wa kokka no anzen o mamoru tame ni jūyō desu

Defense is important to protect national security.

• 国防 - national defense
• 国家 - Estado, nação
• 安全 - security
• 守る - protect, guard
• 重要 - important

夕方に家に帰ります。

Yuugata ni ie ni kaerimasu

I come home at night.

I will go home at night.

• 夕方 (yūgata) - Late at night
• に (ni) - Document that indicates time or place
• 家 (ie) - house
• に (ni) - Document that indicates time or place
• 帰ります (kaerimasu) - Back home

大臣は政治家の中でも重要な役割を果たしています。

Daijin wa seijika no naka demo juuyou na yakuwari o hatashite imasu

Ministers play an important role among politicians.

The minister plays an important role among politicians.

• 大臣 - minister
• は - Topic particle
• 政治家 - political
• の - Possessive particle
• 中でも - Especially among
• 重要な - Important
• 役割 - role/function
• を - Direct object particle
• 果たしています - performs (present progressive)

家計を立てることは大切です。

Kakei wo tateru koto wa taisetsu desu

It is important to make a household budget.

It is important to make a family.

• 家計 - Household finances
• を - Direct object particle
• 立てる - Establish, create
• こと - Abstract noun
• は - Topic particle
• 大切 - important, valuable
• です - polite way of being