Unit 1: Families in Different Societies

ひらがな (hiragana)

One of the main Japanese writing systems; used for basic sounds and grammar elements, with standard stroke order.

カタカナ (katakana)

Japanese script mainly used for loanwords (foreign-origin words) and representing sounds.

漢字 (kanji)

Chinese-origin characters used in Japanese; meanings and readings can change depending on context.

濁点（だくてん）/ てんてん (dakuten)

The mark that changes a consonant sound (e.g., か→が, さ→ざ).

筆順 (ひつじゅん)

Stroke order; the standard order used when writing Japanese characters.

家 (いえ / か)

Kanji meaning “house/home”; reading depends on the word and context.

族 (ぞく)

Kanji meaning “tribe/clan”; appears in words like 家族.

家族 (かぞく)

Family members as a relationship unit (parents, siblings, spouse, etc.).

家庭 (かてい)

“Household/home environment”; focuses on living situation, atmosphere, values, or circumstances.

世帯 (せたい)

Administrative/statistical unit of people living together as one household (e.g., in government/news contexts).

内（うち）/ 外（そと） (uchi/soto)

Japanese perspective of in-group vs out-group that affects word choice and politeness when talking about people (especially family).

親戚 (しんせき)

Everyday word for relatives (e.g., uncles, aunts, cousins).

親族 (しんぞく)

More formal/official term for relatives/kin (often in legal or formal writing).

身内 (みうち)

One’s own group/close relations (especially one’s own family); often implies “in-group.”

母 (はは)

Humble/neutral term for “my mother” when speaking to people outside one’s family (uchi/soto awareness).

お母さん (おかあさん)

Polite/respectful term for “your mother,” and also a common way to address one’s own mother inside the family.

父 (ちち)

Humble/neutral term for “my father” when speaking to outsiders (uchi/soto awareness).

お父さん (おとうさん)

Polite/respectful term for “your father,” and also a common way to address one’s own father inside the family.

兄 (あに)

Term for “my older brother” when referring to him to outsiders.

お兄さん (おにいさん)

Polite/respectful term for “your older brother” (or someone else’s older brother).

姉 (あね)

Term for “my older sister” when referring to her to outsiders.

お姉さん (おねえさん)

Polite/respectful term for “your older sister” (or someone else’s older sister).

弟 (おとうと)

Term for one’s younger brother; in polite reference to someone else, 弟さん may be used.

妹 (いもうと)

Term for one’s younger sister; in polite reference to someone else, 妹さん may be used.

〜といっしょに住んでいます

Expression meaning “I live together with ~” (cohabitation).

別（べつ）に住んでいます

Expression meaning “(Someone) lives separately” (not living together).

よく会います / たまに会います

Frequency phrases meaning “I see (them) often / sometimes.”

名詞修飾（めいししゅうしょく）/ 関係節

Noun modification (relative-clause-like structure) used to pack extra information before a noun.

丁寧体（ていねいたい） (です／ます)

Polite style used to keep distance and avoid rudeness; common in formal or careful situations.

普通体（ふつうたい） (だ／る)

Plain/casual style used with close relationships; can still switch to polite style for serious moments.

〜てくれる？ / 〜てもらえる？

Soft request forms meaning “Can you do ~ for me?” (less commanding than direct imperatives).

〜てくれませんか / 〜てもらえませんか

More polite request forms meaning “Could you (please) do ~?”

〜たら？ / 〜たほうがいいよ

Suggestion/advice forms meaning “Why don’t you ~?” / “You should ~.”

あげる

Giving verb meaning “(I/we) do something for someone else” (benefit goes from my side to others).

くれる

Giving verb meaning “Someone does something for me/us” (benefit comes to my side).

もらう

Receiving verb meaning “I/we receive a favor/service from someone.”

ありがとう / ありがとうございます

Casual vs polite expressions of gratitude (“Thanks” / “Thank you”).

ごめん / すみません

Casual vs more polite apology (“Sorry” / “Excuse me; I’m sorry”).

おつかれさま（です）

Phrase used to acknowledge someone’s effort (“Thanks for your hard work”).

共感（きょうかん）表現

Empathy phrases that smooth conversation (e.g., “That’s tough,” “I understand”).

敬称（けいしょう）: さん / さま

Honorific suffixes added to names; さん is standard polite, さま is more formal.

お辞儀（おじぎ）

Bowing; a common Japanese greeting showing respect and politeness.

おみやげ (omiyage)

Souvenir/gift brought when visiting; shows thoughtfulness and strengthens relationships.

おせんべい (osenbei)

Rice crackers; a common omiyage item, often nicely packaged.

核家族（かくかぞく）

Nuclear family (parents and children-centered household).

拡大家族（かくだいかぞく）

Extended family arrangement including grandparents/relatives (often closer ties and sometimes co-residence).

ひとり親家庭（ひとりおやかてい）

Single-parent household (one parent raising children).

世代同居（せだいどうきょ）/ Intergenerational living

Living with multiple generations (e.g., adult children and parents, or grandparents living together).

親孝行（おやこうこう）

Value/idea of showing respect and fulfilling responsibilities toward one’s parents (often linked to supporting them in old age).

介護（かいご）

Elder care/caregiving; can involve family, professionals, institutions, and raises issues of burden and support systems.