近縁(きんえん)

きんえん
noun, adjective (no)
closely related; close relation
1. closely related (biologically); close relation
Having a close biological or taxonomic relationship, such as species within the same genus or family. Primarily used in biology and natural science contexts.
オオカミは犬(いぬ)の近縁(きんえん)種(しゅ)だ。
Wolves are a species closely related to dogs.
この植物(しょくぶつ)はバラ科(か)の近縁(きんえん)種(しゅ)に分類(ぶんるい)される。
This plant is classified as a species closely related to the rose family.
DNA解析(かいせき)により、これまで別(べつ)の仲間(なかま)だと思(おも)われていた生物(せいぶつ)が実(じつ)は近縁(きんえん)であることが分(わ)かった。
DNA analysis revealed that organisms previously thought to belong to different groups are actually closely related.
2. closely related; close kinship
Having a close familial or blood relationship. Used in formal or literary contexts to describe family ties.
近縁(きんえん)の者(もの)が集(あつ)まった。
Close relatives gathered together.
近縁(きんえん)の親族(しんぞく)にのみ知(し)らせた。
Only close relatives were informed.
近縁(きんえん)の間柄(あいだがら)であっても、長年(ながねん)会(あ)っていないと疎遠(そえん)になることがある。
Even close relatives can drift apart if they haven't seen each other for many years.

USAGE NOTES:
近縁(きんえん) is composed of 近(きん) (close) and 縁(えん) (relation, connection). The biological sense (sense 1) is by far the more common usage in modern Japanese.

Note: Do not confuse with 禁煙(きんえん) (no smoking), which has the same reading but completely different kanji and meaning.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 近縁(きんえん)種(しゅ) (closely related species)
  • 近縁(きんえん)の生物(せいぶつ) (closely related organisms)
  • 近縁(きんえん)関係(かんけい) (close taxonomic relationship)

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 類縁(るいえん) — taxonomic affinity (more technical)
  • 親戚(しんせき) — relatives (everyday word for family relations)
general
Added 2026.3.4 13:38
14500/14865_kinen