分家
ぶんけ
noun, suru verb
branch family; cadet family
Conjugation
| Affirmative | Negative | |
|---|---|---|
| Present | 分家する | 分家しない |
| Present polite | 分家します | 分家しません |
| Past | 分家した | 分家しなかった |
| Past polite | 分家しました | 分家しませんでした |
| て form | 分家して | 分家しなくて |
| ている present | 分家している | 分家していない |
| ている polite | 分家しています | 分家していません |
| ている past | 分家していた | 分家していなかった |
| ている past polite | 分家していました | 分家していませんでした |
| Conditional ば | 分家すれば | 分家しなければ |
| Conditional たら | 分家したら | 分家しなかったら |
| Volitional | 分家しよう | — |
| Volitional polite | 分家しましょう | — |
| Potential | 分家できる | 分家できない |
| Passive | 分家される | 分家されない |
| Causative | 分家させる | 分家させない |
| Imperative | 分家しろ | 分家するな |
1.
branch family; cadet family
A family that has separated from the main household to establish its own independent household. The opposite of the main family (honke).
2.
the act of establishing a branch family; branching off
The process of a family member leaving the main household to start a separate family line.
Composed of 分 (divide, separate) + 家 (house, family). Central to the traditional Japanese family system (家制度).
Common collocations
Similar words
- 本家: main family, head family — the original household from which branch families separate
- 別家: separate household — similar meaning but less common
- 宗家: head family (of an artistic/martial arts school) — specifically the founding lineage of a traditional school
Cultural note
In the traditional Japanese family system, the eldest son typically inherited the main household (本家), while younger sons would 分家 and establish their own households. Though the legal 家制度 was abolished after World War II, the concepts of 本家 and 分家 remain culturally significant, especially in rural areas. The term is also used metaphorically for businesses or organizations that have split from a parent entity.