旧家(きゅうか)

きゅうか
noun
old distinguished family; old family home
familyculture
1. old distinguished family; family of long standing
A family with a long history and social standing in a particular region. Often implies wealth, land ownership, and local influence.
この地域(ちいき)の旧家(きゅうか)だ。
They are an old distinguished family of this area.
彼女(かのじょ)は代々(だいだい)続(つづ)く旧家(きゅうか)の出身(しゅっしん)だ。
She comes from an old family that has continued for generations.
この旧家(きゅうか)は江戸時代(えどじだい)から続(つづ)く名家(めいか)で、地元(じもと)では知(し)らない人(ひと)がいない。
This old family has continued since the Edo period and is known by everyone in the area.
2. old family home; historic residence
The physical house or estate belonging to an old, established family.
旧家(きゅうか)を訪(たず)ねる。
To visit an old family home.
築(ちく)200年(ねん)の旧家(きゅうか)が文化財(ぶんかざい)に指定(してい)された。
The 200-year-old historic residence was designated a cultural property.
庭園(ていえん)が美(うつく)しい旧家(きゅうか)が一般(いっぱん)公開(こうかい)されている。
An old residence with a beautiful garden is open to the public.

Composed of 旧(きゅう) (old, former) + 家(か) (house, family). Can refer to both the family lineage and the physical residence. In rural Japan, 旧家(きゅうか) families often served as local leaders, large landowners, or village heads.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 名家(めいか): distinguished family — emphasizes prestige and renown rather than age
  • 老舗(しにせ): long-established shop/business — similar concept of longevity but specifically for businesses
  • 古民家(こみんか): old traditional house — focuses on the architectural style of old Japanese houses; often used for renovated properties

Usage

Be careful not to confuse with the homophone 休暇(きゅうか) (vacation, leave). The kanji make the distinction clear in writing.

Related Words

Compare: 名家(めいか) (distinguished family)
Compare: 老舗(しにせ) (long-established shop/business)
Compare: 古民家(こみんか) (old traditional house)
general
Added 2026.4.2 23:12 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
21500/21512_kyuuka