1.
family lineage, pedigree, social standing of a family
The social status, reputation, or heritage of a family. Often considered in contexts like marriage, tradition, and social class.
家柄のいい家庭。
A family of good standing.
家柄を気にする親もいる。
There are parents who care about family lineage.
家柄よりも本人の人柄が大事だ。
One's own character is more important than family pedigree.
家柄 refers to the social standing, reputation, and heritage of a family. It is often considered in the context of marriage and social class in Japan.
WORD FORMATION:
家 (house/family) + 柄 (pattern/character). The suffix ～柄 indicates the inherent character or nature of something.
COLLOCATIONS:
- 家柄がいい: of good family, well-bred
- 家柄を気にする: to care about family background
- 家柄を重んじる: to value family lineage
SIMILAR WORDS WITH ～柄:
- 人柄: personality, character (of a person)
- 土地柄: character of a place, local customs
- 国柄: national character
CULTURAL NOTE:
While 家柄 remains relevant in some traditional contexts (especially marriage), its importance has diminished in modern Japanese society. It comes up most often when discussing 結婚 (marriage) and 見合い (arranged meetings for marriage).