全家

• Pinyin: quán jiā
• Hanzi breakdown: 全 (quán) — complete, whole; 家 (jiā) = 宀 (roof) + 豕 (pig), representing a home with livestock

Meaning

The whole family; the entire family. Refers to all members of a household.

Used when talking about activities or situations involving every family member. Very common in daily life: 全家人 (all family members), 全家福 (family portrait/photo), 全家出游 (the whole family goes on a trip). Carries a warm, inclusive tone.

Examples

1. 周末全家一起去爬山。 The whole family goes hiking together on weekends.
2. 全家人坐在一起吃晚饭。 The whole family sits together for dinner.
3. 我们拍了一张全家福。 We took a family portrait.

Usage Guide

Context: family, celebrations, everyday

Tone: warm

Do Say

• 全家一起过春节。(The whole family celebrates Chinese New Year together.)
• 全家人都很健康。(Everyone in the family is healthy.)

Don't Say

• 不要用全家来指朋友群体 (Don't use 全家 for a group of friends — it specifically means family members; for all friends use 所有朋友 or 大家)

Origin & History

全 (quán, complete/whole) + 家 (jiā, family/home). Literally 'the entire family' — all members of the household together.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal