所帯(しょたい)

しょたい
noun
household; family; home
family
1. household; family; home
A family unit or household, especially in the context of managing daily life, finances, and domestic affairs. Often carries the nuance of the practical side of running a home.
所帯(しょたい)を持(も)つと責任(せきにん)が増(ふ)える。
Having a household increases your responsibilities.
若(わか)くして所帯(しょたい)を持(も)った。
He started a family at a young age.
あの人(ひと)は所帯(しょたい)じみた話(はなし)ばかりするようになった。
That person has started talking about nothing but domestic matters.

Usage

所帯(しょたい)を持(も)つ is a set phrase meaning to start a household or get married and settle down. The word focuses on the practical, everyday side of family life rather than the emotional bonds.

Common collocations

  • 所帯(しょたい)を持(も)つ (to start a household; to settle down)
  • 所帯(しょたい)じみた (domestic-looking; frumpy)
  • 所帯(しょたい)持(も)ち (a person with a family to support)
  • 大所帯(おおじょたい) (a large group or household)

Note on reading

The word 大所帯(おおじょたい) uses the voiced reading じょたい rather than しょたい.

Similar words

  • 世帯(せたい): household — more administrative and statistical; used on official forms and in census data
  • 家庭(かてい): home; family — emphasizes the warm, nurturing aspect of home life

Related Words

Compare: 世帯(せたい) (household (administrative))
Synonym: 家庭(かてい) (home (warm/nurturing))
general
Added 2026.3.20 22:42 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
18000/18231_shotai