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:

私は毎日家事をします。

Watashi wa mainichi kaji o shimasu

I do the household tasks every day.

I do housework every day.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 毎日 (mainichi) - adverb meaning "every day"
• 家事 (kaji) - noun that means "household chores"
• を (wo) - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence, in this case, "household chores"
• します (shimasu) - verb that means "to do"

私は仕事と家庭を兼ねることができます。

Watashi wa shigoto to katei wo kaneru koto ga dekimasu

I can reconcile work and family.

I can serve as work and home.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that marks the topic of the sentence
• 仕事 (shigoto) - noun that means "work"
• と (to) - particle indicating a connection between two things
• 家庭 (katei) - noun meaning "family" or "home"
• を (wo) - Particle that marks the direct object of the sentence
• 兼ねる (kaneru) - verb meaning "to reconcile" or "to bring together"
• ことができます (koto ga dekimasu) - expression that indicates ability or capacity, meaning "to be able to"

私の家族はとても大切です。

Watashi no kazoku wa totemo taisetsu desu

My family is very important to me.

My family is very important.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• の (no) - possession particle in Japanese, indicating that "my" family home
• 家族 (kazoku) - means "family" in Japanese
• は (wa) - topic particle in Japanese, indicating that "the family" is the subject of the sentence
• とても (totemo) - adverb meaning "very" in Japanese
• 大切 (taisetsu) - adjective meaning "important" or "precious" in Japanese
• です (desu) - verb to be in Japanese, indicating "is" important to my family

私は毎月家賃を払い込む必要があります。

Watashi wa maitsuki yachin wo haraikomu hitsuyou ga arimasu

I need to pay rent every month.

I need to pay my rent every month.

• 私 - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 毎月 - Japanese adverb meaning "every month"
• 家賃 - Japanese noun that means "rent"
• を - direct object particle that indicates the object of the action, in this case "rent"
• 払い込む - Japanese verb that means "to pay (an amount) in advance"
• 必要 - Japanese adjective meaning "necessary"
• が - subject particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case "I"
• あります - Japanese verb that means "to have," in the sense of "it is necessary to have."

私の家は近所にあります。

Watashi no ie wa kinjo ni arimasu

My house is in the neighborhood.

• 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の - particle that indicates possession or relationship between two things
• 家 - noun that means "house"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 近所 - noun meaning "neighborhood" or "district"
• に - particle indicating direction or destination
• あります - verb meaning "to be located" or "to exist"

私の実家は山の中にあります。

Watashi no jikka wa yama no naka ni arimasu

My parents' house is in the mountains.

• 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の - particle that indicates possession, equivalent to "of"
• 実家 - noun meaning "parents' house", "family home"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, equivalent to "about"
• 山 - noun that means "mountain"
• の - particle that indicates possession, equivalent to "of"
• 中 - noun that means "middle", "center"
• に - particle indicating location, equivalent to "in"
• あります - verb that means "to be", "to exist"

私の家主はとても親切です。

Watashi no kashu wa totemo shinsetsu desu

My owner is very kind.

• 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の - particle that indicates possession, in this case, "mine"
• 家主 - noun that means "homeowner"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "the homeowner"
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 親切 - adjective meaning "kind"
• です - verb that indicates "to be", in this case, "is"

私は今日友達の家に寄ります。

Watashi wa kyō tomodachi no ie ni yorimasu

I'm going to my friend's house today.

I'm stopping at my friend's house today.

• 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 今日 - noun that means "today"
• 友達 - noun meaning "friend"
• の - particle that indicates possession, in this case "of the friend"
• 家 - noun that means "house"
• に - particle that indicates destination, in this case "for"
• 寄ります - verb that means "to visit"

私たちの家は公園に面しています。

Watashitachi no ie wa kōen ni menshite imasu

Our house faces the park.

Our house faces the park.

• 私たちの - 私たち
• 家 - "house" in Japanese
• は - Japanese topic particle
• 公園 - "parque" in Japanese
• に - Location particle in Japanese
• 面しています - "facing" in Japanese

私たちは共働き家庭です。

Watashitachi wa kyoudouki katei desu

We are a double -income family.

We are a family of double workers.

• 私たちは - 「私たち」
• 共働き - "Working together" or "double job" in Japanese, referring to a couple who both work outside the home
• 家庭 - "Family" in Japanese
• です - "It is" in Japanese, indicating that the sentence is a statement