Meanings of 家属
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Podcast: 家属
Podcast: 家属
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AI Study Notes for 家属
亲属 (qīnshǔ) refers to relatives by blood or marriage, while 家属 (jiāshǔ) specifically denotes family members living in the same household.
Think of 家 (jiā) as a house and 属 (shǔ) as belonging. Imagine a family gathered in a house, all belonging together under one roof. The pronunciation 'jiāshǔ' can be remembered by relating it to 'just sure,' as in 'I'm just sure these are my family members.'
家属 is generally used in formal situations, so avoid using it in casual conversations about family. Common collocations include '家属名单' (list of family members) and '家属陪护' (family member accompanying). Be careful with the tone; the first syllable is high-level (first tone) and the second syllable is falling (third tone).
As an HSK 6 word, 家属 connects to other family-related terms like 家庭 (family) and 亲属 (relatives). Students should focus on differentiating this term from more casual references to family and practice using it in formal contexts.
In Chinese culture, the concept of family is deeply rooted, with many responsibilities and obligations towards family members. The term 家属 is often encountered in discussions about health care or social security, highlighting the importance placed on family support systems.
Learners often confuse 家属 with 亲属 (qīnshǔ), which means relatives more broadly. For instance, saying '我有很多家属' (I have many relatives) is incorrect; use '亲属' for that context instead.
Pronunciation of 家属
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Component Characters
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Grammar Patterns of 家属
家属 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Complete the Sentence
这些公共汽车将载着____北上去探监。
These buses will carry families upstate to visit relatives in prison.
Example Sentences for 家属 (3)
Cultural Notes for 家属
In Chinese culture, the concept of family is deeply rooted, with many responsibilities and obligations towards family members. The term 家属 is often encountered in discussions about health care or social security, highlighting the importance placed on family support systems.
In Western cultures, the term 'dependents' often refers to children or spouses for tax purposes, while in Chinese culture, it can extend to elderly parents and other relatives, reflecting a broader family responsibility.
Frequently Asked Questions about 家属
No, 家属 is more appropriate in formal contexts, like legal or medical discussions.