Translation and Meaning of: 家 - uchi

If you have studied Japanese or even watched an anime, you've probably heard the word 家[うち] being used to refer to "home". But do you know everything about this seemingly simple little word? In this article, we will explore in depth the etymology, its everyday usage, and even curiosities about the kanji that represents it. Furthermore, you will discover how to easily memorize it and how it appears in common expressions. And if you use Anki or another spaced repetition method, you'll love the practical tips we've gathered to boost your studies.

What many people don't know is that 家[うち] carries nuances that go beyond the literal meaning of "home" or "residence." It can convey a sense of belonging, intimacy, and even family identity. Do you want to understand why the Japanese use this word in specific contexts and how it differs from other terms like いえ? Keep reading and find out!

The Kanji and Its Origin: More Than Four Walls

The kanji 家 is composed of two visual elements: the radical 宀 (roof) and the character 豕 (pig). That's right, pig! But hold on, we're not talking about a pigsty. In ancient China, where the kanji originated, pigs were symbols of prosperity and abundance. Having a pig under the roof meant that the family had resources to sustain themselves. Over time, the ideogram evolved to represent not only the physical structure but also the concept of home and family.

It's interesting to note that although the kanji is the same, the reading うち has a more personal connotation than いえ. While the latter refers to the building itself, うち carries the idea of "my home," something intimate and welcoming. Have you noticed how the Japanese say うちの会社 (my company) or うちの子 (my child)? That's the magic of うち in action!

Everyday Lies: When the Japanese Choose This Word

In daily life, Japanese people use うち in very specific situations. For example, it is common to hear phrases like うちに帰る (returning home) or うちで食べる (eating at home). But what few students realize is that this word often appears in implicit contrasts. When someone says うち, they are automatically creating an opposition with the outside world, the そと. It is like a safe, familiar space, in contrast to the unknown outside.

A valuable tip for those who are learning: pay attention when うち is used to refer not only to the physical home but to the family as a whole. Expressions like うちはそうしない (in my family, we don't do it that way) reveal how the term transcends its concrete meaning. And here’s a mnemonic trick: associate the う of うち with "union" - after all, it’s in the home where the family comes together.

Curiosities and Common Mistakes You Should Avoid

Did you know there is a classic pun with うち in Japan? The expression うちの水はうまい (the water from my home is delicious) is used to playfully express regional pride - everyone thinks that the water from their hometown has a special flavor. This type of joke shows how the word is rooted in a sense of local identity.

A common mistake among students is confusing when to use うち or いえ. Remember: if you are talking about the physical building, choose いえ. But if you want to convey the idea of home, comfort, or belonging, うち is your best choice. And be careful with pronunciation - although the kanji is the same, saying いえ instead of うち can completely change the meaning of the sentence!

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 住まい (sumai) - Residence, a place where one lives.
• 住居 (juukyo) - Housing, a place where one resides.
• 家屋 (kaoku) - Building, a construction where one lives.
• 家庭 (katei) - Family, family environment.
• 家族 (kazoku) - Family, a group of related individuals.
• 家系 (kakei) - Family lineage, ancestry.
• 家柄 (iyake) - Family origin, family status.
• 家名 (kamei) - Family name, surname.
• 家紋 (kamon) - Family emblem, family crest.
• 家訓 (kakun) - Family principles, teachings from the family.
• 家風 (kafu) - Traditional family style.
• 家計 (kakei) - Household budget, family finances.
• 家政 (kasei) - Household management, managing the home.
• 家事 (kaji) - Household chores, house tasks.
• 家内 (kanai) - Wife, woman of the house.
• 家人 (kanjin) - Family members, relatives.
• 家来 (karai) - Servants or family companions.
• 家僕 (kaboku) - Domestic workers, servants.
• 家令 (karei) - Family command or authority.
• 家臣 (kashin) - Vassals, loyal servants to a lord.
• 家老 (kaurou) - Senior advisor to the family or clan.
• 家子 (kako) - Child of the family, descendant.
• 家禽 (kakin) - Capoeira animals, domestic birds.
• 家電 (kaden) - Electrical appliances, household electrical equipment.
• 家電製品 (kaden seihin) - Electronic products for home use.
• 家電製造業 (kaden seizōgyō) - Home appliance manufacturing industry.
• 家電量販店 (kaden ryōhanten) - Retail store for appliances.

家

Romaji: uchi
Kana: うち
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: own home)

Meaning in English: house (one's own)

Definition: A building where people live.

Example Sentences - (家) uchi

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