家

• Pinyin: jiā
• Hanzi breakdown: 家 = 宀 (roof) + 豕 (pig); originally meant household — extended to mean expert or specialist.

Meaning

Suffix meaning specialist or expert in a field. Used after a subject area to form professional titles.

When used as a suffix, 家 transforms a field or skill into a professional title: 科学家 (scientist), 作家 (writer), 画家 (painter), 音乐家 (musician). Implies a high level of expertise and dedication.

Examples

1. 她的爸爸是一位科学家。 Her father is a scientist.
2. 这位作家写了很多好书。 This writer has written many good books.
3. 长大以后我想当音乐家。 When I grow up, I want to be a musician.

Usage Guide

Context: professions, titles, aspirations

Tone: respectful

Do Say

• 他是一位有名的科学家。(He is a famous scientist.)
• 我想成为一名作家。(I want to become a writer.)

Don't Say

• 不要在所有职业后面都加家 (Don't add 家 to every profession — it is reserved for fields implying mastery; say 老师 for teacher, not 教育家 which means a renowned educator)

Origin & History

Extension of 家 (home, family) to mean 'specialist.' Just as a 家 is the master of a household, a 科学家 is a master of science.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal