Definition

Noun: 1. Family; household: A basic social unit consisting of people related by marriage, blood, or adoption, typically living together and sharing economic resources and responsibilities. It refers to the group of people one lives with and is closely connected to. 2. Home; hearth: Can imply the concept of a domestic space, a place of belonging, emotional support, and shared life.

Usage Examples

• (My family has four people.)
• (She cares deeply about family happiness.)
• (He is the pillar of the whole family/household.)
• (After a day of work, I like to return to my family/home.)

Advanced Usage

• "Gia đình" vs. "Nhà": While both can translate to "home," "gia đình" emphasizes the people and relationships, whereas "nhà" emphasizes the physical building or house.
  • Tôi nhớ gia đình. (I miss my family.)
  • Tôi nhớ nhà. (I miss my home/house.)
• "Xây dựng gia đình": To build/start a family (often implying marriage and having children).
  • Họ dự định xây dựng gia đình vào năm sau. (They plan to start a family next year.)

Variants and Related Words

• Gia tộc (n): Clan, extended family lineage. A broader term than gia đình, encompassing many related families over generations.
• Gia đình hạt nhân (n): Nuclear family (parents and children).
• Gia đình mở rộng (n): Extended family (including grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins).
• Gia chủ (n): Head of the household.
• Gia phả (n): Family tree, genealogy.

Synonyms

• Nhà (n): Home, house. (Focuses more on the physical place or, informally, the people within it).
• Hộ gia đình (n): Household (often used in formal, administrative, or economic contexts).
• Tổ ấm (n): Warm nest; a loving, cozy home. (Emphasizes emotional warmth and security).

Related Phrases

• Bữa cơm gia đình: Family meal.
• Tình cảm gia đình: Family affection/bonds.
• Hoàn cảnh gia đình: Family situation/circumstances.
• Trách nhiệm với gia đình: Responsibility to one's family.

Related Idioms

• "Gia đình là số một" / "Gia đình trên hết": Family comes first. (Expresses the priority of family).
• "Máu chảy ruột mềm": (Lit: Blood flows, the intestines soften). Blood is thicker than water. (Highlights the strong bond of family).
• "Con hư tại mẹ, cháu hư tại bà": (Lit: A spoiled child is the mother's fault, a spoiled grandchild is the grandmother's fault). A saying about parenting and family influence across generations.

noun

1. family; household