近縁(きんえん)

きんえん
noun, no-adjective
closely related; close relation
formalacademic
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

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

Similar words

  • 類縁(るいえん) — taxonomic affinity (more technical)
  • 親戚(しんせき) — relatives (everyday word for family relations)

Related Words

Compare: 親戚(しんせき) (relatives)
general
Added 2026.3.4 13:38 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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