Unit 1 Deep Dive: Family Structures and Values (AP Japanese Language and Culture)

家族（かぞく）

Family; in AP Japanese contexts, not only relatives but also a social system with expectations about belonging, responsibility, and communication.

家族の役割（かぞくのやくわり）

Family roles; the expected responsibilities/behaviors of each family member (e.g., who does chores, who makes decisions, how respect is shown).

内（うち, uchi）

In-group (often one’s own family/team/company); affects language choice—speakers tend to refer to their own side more modestly when talking to outsiders.

外（そと, soto）

Out-group/outsiders; when speaking to or about someone outside your group, you typically use more respectful language toward their side.

父（ちち）

My father (humble/in-group term); commonly used when talking about your father to someone outside your family (e.g., a teacher, host family).

お父さん（おとうさん）

(Your/their) father (respectful/out-group term); used for someone else’s father, or as a polite public-facing term (often not used for your own father in formal outsider contexts).

母（はは）

My mother (humble/in-group term); used when referring to your mother to outsiders in formal/polite situations.

お母さん（おかあさん）

(Your/their) mother (respectful/out-group term); used for someone else’s mother, or a polite way to refer to “mother” (context-dependent).

核家族（かくかぞく）

Nuclear family; parents and children living as a household.

大家族（だいかぞく）

Extended family; may include grandparents and other relatives, often implying a wider support network and shared responsibilities.

ひとり親家庭（ひとりおやかてい）

Single-parent household; a family structure that can affect how chores, childcare, and work responsibilities are managed.

共働き（ともばたらき）

Dual-income household; both parents work, often increasing the need to share housework and coordinate schedules.

年上・年下（としうえ・としした）

Older/younger (seniority); age hierarchy that can influence expectations and politeness, especially in family communication.

空気を読む（くうきをよむ）

To “read the room”; understanding unspoken expectations and adjusting behavior/words to maintain harmony.

遠慮する（えんりょする）

To hold back out of consideration; a communication habit of not imposing or speaking too directly.

はっきり言わない

Not saying things bluntly; an indirect communication style where meaning may be implied rather than stated directly.

お正月（おしょうがつ）

New Year; a major seasonal tradition often tied to family time, visiting relatives, greetings, gratitude, and starting the year well.

お盆（おぼん）

Obon; a tradition associated with honoring ancestors and maintaining family connection across generations.

七五三（しちごさん）

Shichi-Go-San; children’s growth celebration (traditionally ages 3, 5, 7), expressing hope for health and marking development.

成人式（せいじんしき）

Coming-of-age ceremony; marks the transition toward adulthood and responsibility (details vary by location and over time).

礼儀（れいぎ）

Manners/etiquette; important in formal family-network events (e.g., weddings/funerals) and in respectful language use.

お墓参り（おはかまいり）

Visiting a grave; often mentioned with Obon as a way families show respect and gratitude to ancestors.

お土産（おみやげ）

Souvenir/gift brought back from a trip; functions as “relationship maintenance” (showing you thought of someone and value the connection).

自立（じりつ）

Independence; a key generational theme, often discussed as balancing personal choice with family expectations and support.

介護（かいご）

Caregiving (often for elderly relatives); a common family issue that highlights responsibility-sharing and intergenerational relationships.