1.
family heirloom; family treasure
A valuable object passed down through generations within a family. Can be a physical item such as a sword, scroll, or piece of art, or used figuratively for something cherished.
この刀は代々の家宝だ。
This sword is a family heirloom passed down through generations.
祖父から受け継いだ掛け軸を家宝として大切にしている。
I treasure the hanging scroll inherited from my grandfather as a family heirloom.
「子は家宝」という言葉のとおり、子供は何よりも大切な存在だ。
As the saying 'children are a family's treasure' goes, children are the most precious thing of all.
USAGE:
家宝 combines 家 (house/family) + 宝 (treasure). It refers to items of significant value — sentimental, historical, or monetary — that are kept within a family across generations.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 家宝を受け継ぐ (to inherit a family heirloom)
- 代々の家宝 (heirloom passed down through generations)
- 子は家宝 (children are a family's treasure — proverb)
SIMILAR WORDS:
宝物 is a more general word for treasure or prized possession. 家宝 specifically implies family inheritance and generational value.