家族サービス
Meaning: Family service — spending time with one's family on weekends or holidays, framed self-deprecatingly as a duty or obligation.
A uniquely Japanese expression that reveals attitudes about work-life balance. When a salaryman says he's doing 家族サービス, he frames time with his family as a 'service' — implying it is something he should do rather than something he wants to do. The term is often used with self-deprecating humour but has faced criticism for suggesting that family time is a chore. It reflects the workaholic culture where personal life takes a back seat to professional obligations.
Examples
- 週末は家族サービスでディズニー行ってくる。 周末做家庭服务,要去迪士尼了。Este finde toca servicio familiar, nos vamos a Disneyland.주말은 家族サービス(가족 서비스)로 디즈니 다녀올 거야.
- 家族サービスって言い方、なんか義務感あるよね。 家庭服务'这个说法,总觉得有种义务感呢。Lo de «servicio familiar» suena como si fuera una obligación, ¿no?家族サービス라는 표현, 뭔가 의무감이 느껴지지 않아?
- 仕事ばかりで家族サービスが全然できてない。 光顾着工作了,完全没有做家庭服务。Con tanto trabajo no hago nada de servicio familiar.일만 하다 보니 家族サービスを 전혀 못 하고 있어.
Pronunciation
/ka.zo.ku.saː.bi.su/
Usage Guide
Context: workplace, family life, friends
Tone: self-deprecating, dutiful
✓ Do Say
- 今日は家族サービスだから飲み会パス (I'm doing family service today so I'll pass on drinks)今天要做家庭服务,所以酒局我就不去了(今天是家庭服务日,聚会就算了)今日は家族サービスだから飲み会パス (Hoy toca servicio familiar, así que paso de las cañas)今日は家族サービスだから飲み会パス (오늘은 가족 서비스라서 회식 패스할게)
- 久々に家族サービスしないとまずい (I'd better do some family service — it's been too long)好久没做家庭服务了,得赶紧安排一下(太久没陪家人了,再不陪就不好了)久々に家族サービスしないとまずい (Más me vale hacer algo de servicio familiar, que hace mucho que no)久々に家族サービスしないとまずい (오랜만에 가족 서비스 좀 해야겠어)
✗ Don't Say
- 妻の前で「家族サービス」と言うと「義務なの?」と怒られる (Saying 'family service' in front of your wife will get you an angry 'is it an obligation?')在妻子面前说'家庭服务'会被质问'陪家人是义务吗?'(在老婆面前说'家庭服务'会招来一句'陪家人是任务吗?'的怒火)妻の前で「家族サービス」と言うと「義務なの?」と怒られる (Decir «servicio familiar» delante de tu mujer te ganará un enfadado «¿es que es una obligación?»)妻の前で「家族サービス」と言うと「義務なの?」と怒られる (아내 앞에서 '가족 서비스'라고 하면 '의무야?'라고 화를 낸다)
Common Mistakes
- Not realising the term is increasingly seen as problematic — younger generations question why family time should be framed as 'service'
- Using it without the self-deprecating tone — without humour, it sounds cold and dutiful
Origin & History
Emerged from Japan's salaryman culture where long working hours left little time for family. The term frames family time as a 'service' provided by the working parent, reflecting the era when work was seen as the primary duty.
Cultural Context
Era: Salaryman culture from the economic bubble era, now debated
Generation: Primarily used by men 30s-50s
Social background: Working professionals
Regional notes: Used across all of Japan. Reflects the salaryman work culture and is increasingly debated in discussions about gender roles and work-life balance.
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