Learn Japanese while reading Manga with our new Manga Reader Tool!

Nihongo

Classroom

How to say 'Relative' in Japanese | 親戚

Wondering how to say 'Relative' in Japanese? You're in the right place!

The Japanese word for Relative is 'Shinseki', written as 親戚 in Japanese.'Relative' in hiragana is しんせき.

    word

    親戚

    Meaning

    Relative

    Reading

    しんせき

    shinseki

    Kanji

    親Parent 戚Grieve, Relatives

    Explanation

    The Japanese noun '親戚 (しんせき)' refers to a 'relative' or 'family member'. It is used to describe someone who is related by blood or marriage, such as aunts, uncles, cousins, or in-laws. This term is broader than '家族 (かぞく)', which specifically refers to immediate family members like parents, siblings, or children. For example: I visited my relatives「親戚を訪ねた」(しんせきをたずねた). She has many relatives「彼女は親戚が多い」(かのじょはしんせきがおおい). The word can also be used in formal or casual contexts, depending on the situation.

    Part Of Speech

    noun

    Kanji JLPT

    Unknown

    Kanji Grade

    10

    Frequency

    4397

    Composition

    kanji

    Handwriting

Kanji in the Word 親戚

This word contains 2 kanji characters:

  • kanji

    親

    Meaning

    Parent

  • kanji

    戚

    Meaning

    Grieve, Relatives

Words Related to 親戚 Through the Kanji 親

These 16 Words contain the Kanji 親 as well.

  • word

    親

    Meaning

    Parent

  • word

    母親

    Meaning

    Mother

  • word

    父親

    Meaning

    Father

  • word

    親切

    Meaning

    Kind

  • word

    不親切

    Meaning

    Unkind

  • word

    両親

    Meaning

    Parents

  • word

    親父

    Meaning

    Father, Old man

  • word

    親しい

    Meaning

    Close

  • word

    親類

    Meaning

    Relative

  • word

    親しむ

    Meaning

    Befriend

  • word

    親指

    Meaning

    Thumb

  • word

    親しみ

    Meaning

    Familiarity

  • word

    親子

    Meaning

    Parent child

  • word

    親善

    Meaning

    Friendship

  • word

    親族

    Meaning

    Relatives

  • word

    親友

    Meaning

    Best friend

Learn the Word 親戚

Let's make sure you fully understand this word.

What does 'Shinseki' (親戚) mean?

'Shinseki' means 'Relative' .

To help you master this word, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.