Japanese has two sets of family words — one for talking about your own family (humble), and one for talking about someone else’s family (respectful). This is one of the most unique aspects of Japanese vocabulary. Click any word to hear it.
Your Own Family 自分の家族（謙譲語）
Use these when talking about your own family members.
| Japanese | Reading | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| 父 | ちち | chichi | Father (my) |
| 母 | はは | haha | Mother (my) |
| 兄 | あに | ani | Older brother (my) |
| 姉 | あね | ane | Older sister (my) |
| 弟 | おとうと | otōto | Younger brother (my) |
| 妹 | いもうと | imōto | Younger sister (my) |
| 息子 | むすこ | musuko | Son (my) |
| 娘 | むすめ | musume | Daughter (my) |
| 祖父 | そふ | sofu | Grandfather (my) |
| 祖母 | そぼ | sobo | Grandmother (my) |
| 夫 | おっと | otto | Husband (my) |
| 妻 | つま | tsuma | Wife (my) |
Someone Else’s Family 他人の家族（尊敬語）
Use these when talking to or about someone else’s family members. More polite forms.
| Japanese | Reading | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| お父さん | おとうさん | otōsan | Father (yours / theirs) |
| お母さん | おかあさん | okāsan | Mother (yours / theirs) |
| お兄さん | おにいさん | onīsan | Older brother (yours / theirs) |
| お姉さん | おねえさん | onēsan | Older sister (yours / theirs) |
| 弟さん | おとうとさん | otōtosan | Younger brother (yours / theirs) |
| 妹さん | いもうとさん | imōtosan | Younger sister (yours / theirs) |
| 息子さん | むすこさん | musukosan | Son (yours / theirs) |
| 娘さん | むすめさん | musumesAN | Daughter (yours / theirs) |
| おじいさん | おじいさん | ojīsan | Grandfather (yours / theirs) |
| おばあさん | おばあさん | obāsan | Grandmother (yours / theirs) |
| ご主人 | ごしゅじん | goshujin | Husband (yours / theirs) |
| 奥さん | おくさん | okusan | Wife (yours / theirs) |
General Family Terms 一般的な言葉
| Japanese | Reading | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| 家族 | かぞく | kazoku | Family |
| 両親 | りょうしん | ryōshin | Parents |
| 兄弟 | きょうだい | kyōdai | Siblings |
| 子供 | こども | kodomo | Child / children |
| 赤ちゃん | あかちゃん | akachan | Baby |
| 叔父 | おじ | oji | Uncle (my) |
| 叔母 | おば | oba | Aunt (my) |
| いとこ | いとこ | itoko | Cousin |
| 孫 | まご | mago | Grandchild |
Key rule: Never use the respectful forms (お父さん, お母さん, etc.) when speaking about your own family to someone outside the family — this is a very common mistake. Use 父 (chichi) and 母 (haha) instead.