Vocabulary 101
Let's start by examining Japanese vocabulary in regards to different family members. Examine the following vocabulary list, and use it to complete the activities on this page.
Vocab hacks!
In-group vs. out-group In Japan, social structure is incredibly important. This is reflected in the Japanese language, in the concept of in-group and out-group. Your in-group consists of people you are close to, mainly your close friends and family members. Your out-group consists of... well, everyone else! "That's great, but why should I care?" It's super important! Words and whole grammar patterns change according to who you are talking to, or even who you are talking about! For example: In-group: If you are talking about your father: わたし/ぼく の 父 (ちち) Out-group: If you are talking about someone else's father (e.g., Akira's father): あきらくん の お父さん (おとうさん) Both mean father, but you have to use a completely different word because Akira's father is not in your in-group (i.e., he is Akira's father, not yours). Therefore, it would be rude to use the in-group term 父 (ちち) to talk about or to Akira's father. Yes, you still have to use the correct in-group/out-group term even if the person you are talking about is not present! Fun fact! In Japan, it is common to refer to people you don't know (generally older than you) by their out-group family term. For example, an elderly man would be referred to as おじいさん even if he is a complete stranger to you! |
Activity
1. In your notebook, create a family tree of your family using Japanese vocabulary (3 generations total). Are they in-group or out-group? Be sure to use appropriate terms.
2. In your notebook, draw and label a picture of your friend's family using Japanese vocabulary. What in-group/out-group terms should you use in order to be polite? |
Things to remember!
*** Please write this down in your notebook ***
- Japanese family vocabulary changes depending on if the person you are talking to or about is in your in-group or out-group
- In-group = close friends and family
- Out-group = everyone else
You're done!
Great job!
Move on to Module 1.2.
Move on to Module 1.2.