jiāshǔ: 家属 - Family Member(s), Dependent(s)

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Summary: Learn the meaning of 家属 (jiāshǔ), a key Chinese term for “family members” or “dependents.” Unlike the warm, everyday word “家人” (jiārén), 家属 (jiāshǔ) is a more formal and official term used in contexts like hospitals, workplaces, legal documents, and official announcements. This guide breaks down its cultural significance, practical usage, and how to use it correctly to sound like a native speaker.

Pinyin (with tone marks): jiāshǔ

Part of Speech: Noun

HSK Level: HSK 5

Concise Definition: The members of one's immediate family, especially one's spouse and dependents in an official or formal context.

In a Nutshell: Think of 家属 (jiāshǔ) as the word you'd see on a form, not in a family photo album. It refers to family members to whom you have a legal or official connection and responsibility—like a spouse, children, or parents you support. It's a formal, neutral term used by institutions like hospitals, companies, or the government to refer to one's family. It lacks the warmth and emotional connection of the more common word 家人 (jiārén).

家 (jiā): This character means “home,” “family,” or “household.” The pictograph shows a roof (宀) over a pig (豕). In ancient China, a pig in the house was a symbol of domesticity, sustenance, and wealth, making it the perfect symbol for a home.

属 (shǔ): This character means “to belong to,” “to be a part of,” or “category/class.” It implies affiliation or subordination.

Together, 家属 (jiāshǔ) literally translates to “those who belong to the family.” This perfectly captures the term's meaning of individuals who are officially affiliated with and often dependent on a central member of the household.

The Family as a Formal Unit: The existence of a specific word like 家属 (jiāshǔ) highlights the importance of the family as a fundamental, recognized unit in Chinese society. It's not just a collection of loving individuals but a social and economic entity with defined roles, responsibilities, and legal standing. This term is the linguistic tool used by society's formal structures (government, corporations, hospitals) to interact with that family unit.

This distinction reflects a cultural tendency to separate the public/official sphere from the private/personal sphere. When you're dealing with a hospital, you're in a formal relationship, so 家属 (jiāshǔ) is the appropriate term. When you're at home talking about your loved ones, you use 家人 (jiārén).

Formality: 家属 (jiāshǔ) is always used in formal or official situations. Using it in a casual setting would sound cold, distant, and strange.

The Biggest Mistake: Using 家属 (jiāshǔ) for emotional contexts.

The most common error for learners is to use 家属 (jiāshǔ) when they should use the warm, general term 家人 (jiārén). Using 家属 in casual conversation makes you sound like you're reading a legal document.

Rule of Thumb: If you're talking about your family in a loving, personal way, use 家人 (jiārén). If you're in a situation where you are being formally identified by your relationship to a family member (e.g., at a hospital, bank, or government office), 家属 (jiāshǔ) is the correct term.

家人 (jiārén) - The most important counterpart. Means “family member(s)” in a warm, loving, and general sense. The word you use in daily life.

家庭 (jiātíng) - “Family” as a social unit or “household.” More abstract. You would talk about 家庭问题 (family problems) or 家庭教育 (family education).

亲属 (qīnshǔ) - “Kin” or “relatives.” A formal term that is broader than 家属 and can include extended family like uncles, aunts, and cousins.

亲戚 (qīnqi) - “Relatives.” The common, everyday word for extended family. You visit your 亲戚 during Chinese New Year.

配偶 (pèi'ǒu) - “Spouse.” A very formal and legal term for a husband or wife, often seen on official documents. A 配偶 is a type of 家属.

成员 (chéngyuán) - “Member.” A general term for a member of any group. It can be combined to form 家庭成员 (jiātíng chéngyuán), which is a neutral, slightly formal synonym for 家人.

军属 (jūnshǔ) - “Military dependents.” A specific, official category of 家属 for families of military personnel.

直系亲属 (zhíxì qīnshǔ) - “Immediate family.” A formal term specifying parents, spouse, and children. Often used to define the scope of 家属.