家

• Reading: いえ
• Romaji: ie
• Kanji breakdown: 家 (ka/ie/uchi) — house, home, family
• Pronunciation: /i.e/

Meaning

House; residence; dwelling. Refers to a physical building where someone lives.

A noun that specifically emphasises the physical structure of a home. Compare with うち, which focuses on one's own home or family. Common in descriptions of buildings: 大きい家 (big house), 新しい家 (new house). Also used in compounds like 家賃 (yachin — rent).

Examples

1. あの白い家はとてもきれいです。 That white house is very beautiful.
2. 友達の家に遊びに行きました。 I went to hang out at my friend's house.
3. 駅から家まで歩いて十分です。 It's a ten-minute walk from the station to my house.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, housing, directions

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

The kanji 家 depicts a pig (豕) under a roof (宀), reflecting ancient times when livestock was kept inside the home as a sign of wealth and stability.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal