How many words are in this list?

This page gives 100 Japanese words on “Family and relationships”. The full topic holds 140 in the KoKo app: 56 at the easy level, 49 at the medium level and 35 at the hard level.

Which words should I start with?

With level 1: these are the easiest words of the topic. Move on to level 2 once they come to you without thinking, then to level 3.

How can I remember this Japanese vocabulary?

By seeing each word again at longer and longer intervals, just before you forget it: that is spaced repetition. The KoKo app does it for you and tells you each day which words to review.

Can I print this list or save it as a PDF?

Yes. The “Print the list” button at the top of the page opens your device’s print dialog: choose to save as PDF to keep the 100 words and their translation, with nothing else around them.

Japanese vocabulary: family

Parents, children, grandparents, friends, partners: family members and relationships in Japanese.

Here are 100 Japanese words on “Family and relationships”, translated into English and sorted from easiest to hardest.

Level 1: easy 40 words

Japanese	English
誕生	birth
彼氏	boyfriendMale partner, romantic relationship
兄弟	brother
義兄弟	brother in law
子供	child
親権	child custody
事実婚	cohabitation
夫婦	couple
パパ	dadInformal register, a child’s word for their father
娘	daughter
死去	death
家族	family
家族の食事	family meal
父	fatherStandard register, the man who is the child’s biological parent or raises the child
義父	father in law
友達	friend
世代	generation
彼女	girlfriendFemale partner, romantic relationship
孫娘	granddaughterDaughter of one’s son or daughter
祖父	grandfather
曽祖父	great grandfather
曽祖母	great grandmother
異母兄弟	half brother
夫	husbandEveryday use
義理の両親	in laws
愛	love
男性	man
母	motherStandard register, the woman who gives birth to or raises the child
義母	mother in law
ママ	mumInformal register, a child’s word for their mother
姉妹	sister
義姉妹	sister in law
支援	support
名字	surname
仲良くする	to get on well
訪問する	to visit
信頼	trust
しつけ	upbringing
結婚指輪	wedding ring
女性	woman

Level 2: medium 35 words

Japanese	English
養子縁組	adoption
養育費	alimony
口論	argument
おば	aunt
破局	break up
花嫁付き添い	bridesmaid
仲間	buddy
儀式	ceremony
同級生	classmate
同僚	colleague
いとこ	cousinSon of one’s uncle or aunt
子孫	descendant
離婚	divorce
長子	eldest child
名前	first name
友情	friendship
名付け親	godfather
花婿	groomOn the wedding day
新婚旅行	honeymoon
主人	host
遺産	inheritance
隣人	neighbour
おい	nephewSon of one’s brother or sister
めい	nieceDaughter of one’s brother or sister
妊娠	pregnancy
別居	separation
連帯	solidarity
青少年	teenager
緊張	tension
養子にする	to adopt
別れを告げる	to break up
結婚する	to get married
育てる	to raise
おじ	uncle
末っ子	youngest child

Level 3: hard 25 words

Japanese	English
先祖	ancestor
子守	childminder
嫁	daughter in lawWife of one’s son
婚約	engagement
親族関係	family tie
婚約者	fiancePerson engaged to be married, before the ceremony
名付け子	godchild
乳児	infant
大家族	large family
後見人	legal guardian
内縁の相手	live in partner
親の権限	parental authority
和解	reconciliation
似ていること	resemblance
競争心	rivalry
ひとり親家庭	single parent family
婿	son in lawHusband of one’s daughter
授乳する	to breastfeed
抱きしめる	to cuddle
離婚する	to divorce
出産する	to give birth
仲直りする	to make up
叱る	to scold
双子	twin
不貞	unfaithfulness

Mini quiz

5 words from this page, picked at random. Find their translation.

Frequently asked questions

How many words are in this list?: This page gives 100 Japanese words on “Family and relationships”. The full topic holds 140 in the KoKo app: 56 at the easy level, 49 at the medium level and 35 at the hard level.
Which words should I start with?: With level 1: these are the easiest words of the topic. Move on to level 2 once they come to you without thinking, then to level 3.
How can I remember this Japanese vocabulary?: By seeing each word again at longer and longer intervals, just before you forget it: that is spaced repetition. The KoKo app does it for you and tells you each day which words to review.
Can I print this list or save it as a PDF?: Yes. The “Print the list” button at the top of the page opens your device’s print dialog: choose to save as PDF to keep the 100 words and their translation, with nothing else around them.