Japanese Family Vocabulary and Greetings

Overview

This lecture covers Japanese family vocabulary, greetings used at home, and the correct way to refer to family members depending on context.

Greetings at Home

• "ただいま" (Tadaima) means "I'm home."
• "おかえり" (Okaeri) means "Welcome back."
• "おかえりなさい" (Okaerinasai) is a more polite way to say "Welcome back."
• "おじゃまします" is used when entering someone's home; means "Excuse me for interrupting you."

Referring to Family Members (Your Own Family)

• "母(はは)" (haha) is used when talking about your own mother to others.
• "父(ちち)" (chichi) is used for your own father.
• "妹(いもうと)" (imouto) is used for your own younger sister.
• "弟(おとうと)" (otouto) is used for your own younger brother.
• "姉(あね)" (ane) is used for your own elder sister.
• "兄(あに)" (ani) is used for your own elder brother.

Referring to Family Members (Someone Else’s Family / Direct Address)

• "お母さん" (okaasan) is used when talking to your own mother or about someone else's mother.
• "お父さん" (otousan) is for your own father (directly) or for someone else's father.
• "妹さん" (imoutosan) for someone else's younger sister.
• "弟さん" (otoutosan) for someone else's younger brother.
• "お姉さん" (oneesan) for someone else's elder sister.
• "お兄さん" (oniisan) for someone else's elder brother.
• "お兄ちゃん" (oniichan) and "姉ちゃん" (neechan) are used when directly addressing your older brother or sister.
• "兄貴" (aniki) is often used informally by a younger brother for his elder brother.

Expressing Age and Sibling Relationships

• "何歳ですか" (nansai desu ka) means "How old are you?"
• "年下" (としした/toshishita) means "younger."
• "年上" (としうえ/toshiue) means "older."
• Example: "My younger sister is 3 years younger than me."

Key Terms & Definitions

• ただいま — "I'm home"
• おかえり/おかえりなさい — "Welcome back"
• おじゃまします — "Excuse me for interrupting you"
• 母(はは) — mother (your own, to others)
• お母さん(おかあさん) — mother (addressing or other’s mother)
• 父(ちち) — father (your own, to others)
• お父さん(おとうさん) — father (addressing or other’s father)
• 妹(いもうと) — younger sister (your own)
• 妹さん(いもうとさん) — younger sister (someone else's)
• 弟(おとうと) — younger brother (your own)
• 弟さん(おとうとさん) — younger brother (someone else's)
• 姉(あね) — elder sister (your own)
• お姉さん(おねえさん) — elder sister (someone else's)
• 兄(あに) — elder brother (your own)
• お兄さん(おにいさん) — elder brother (someone else's)
• お兄ちゃん(おにいちゃん)/姉ちゃん(ねえちゃん) — familiar address for elder brother/sister
• 兄貴(あにき) — informal term for elder brother
• 年下(としした) — younger
• 年上(としうえ) — older

Action Items / Next Steps

• Practice introducing your family members in Japanese to a classmate or friend.
• Review the terms for each family member and practice context-appropriate usage.