Translation and Meaning of: 親戚 - shinseki

If you are learning Japanese or are curious about the language, you may have come across the word 親戚 (しんせき). It is quite common in everyday life and appears in conversations about family, social relationships, and even in animes or dramas. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, and how it is used in the Japanese cultural context. Additionally, we will look at practical tips for memorizing it and understanding its role in communication.

Meaning and translation of 親戚 (しんせき)

Sosyo (親戚, しんせき) is a Japanese word that refers to "relatives" or "family members" in general. Unlike more specific terms like kazoku (家族, かぞく, "immediate family"), しんせき encompasses uncles, cousins, nephews, and other more distant relatives. In English, the closest translation would be "relatives" or "kin," depending on the context.

It is worth noting that, in Japan, the concept of 親戚 can be a bit broader than in some Western cultures. Relatives who do not live in the same house but maintain close contact are also considered しんせき. This reflects the importance of extended family relationships in Japanese society.

Origin and composition of kanjis

The word 親戚 is composed of two kanjis: 親 (しん), which means "parents" or "close kin," and 戚 (せき), which carries the idea of "distant relatives" or "family connections." Together, they form a term that encompasses both close ties and broader relationships.

Interestingly, the kanji 戚 can also appear in words like 親戚縁者 (しんせきえんじゃ), which means "relatives and in-laws", reinforcing the idea of family connections. This composition helps to understand why しんせき is so comprehensive in modern Japanese.

Cultural usage and frequency in everyday life

In Japan, 親戚 is a word frequently used in both formal and informal contexts. It appears in conversations about family gatherings, holidays like New Year (正月), and even in official documents. Unlike some languages that have separate terms for maternal and paternal relatives, Japanese typically uses しんせき for both.

A useful tip for memorizing this word is to associate it with common situations, such as family gatherings or visits to relatives. Many students also encounter it in animes and dramas, where characters frequently mention 親戚 in everyday dialogues. This type of natural exposure helps to reinforce vocabulary.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 親族 (shinzoku) - Extended family, including more distant relatives.
• 家族 (kazoku) - Immediate family, generally composed of parents and children.
• 血縁者 (ketsuen-sha) - People related by blood ties, encompassing a broader range of kinship.

親戚

Romaji: shinseki
Kana: しんせき
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: relative

Meaning in English: relative

Definition: Family members are people related by blood.

Example Sentences - (親戚) shinseki

See below some example sentences:

私の親戚はたくさんいます。

Watashi no shinseki wa takusan imasu

I have many relatives.

I have many relatives.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun meaning "I" or "mine"
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession or relationship between two things
• 親戚 (shinseki) - noun meaning "relative"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• たくさん (takusan) - adverb that means "many"
• います (imasu) - verb meaning "to exist" or "to be present"