1.
a distinguished or prestigious family; a household with a long history and high social standing
Refers to a family of long-established prestige — typically one known for its ancestors, social position, or achievements in a particular field (politics, the arts, business, a traditional craft). The word carries a tone of respect and often implies inherited status passed down through generations.
彼は名家の出だ。
He comes from a distinguished family.
地元の名家として知られている。
They are known as a distinguished family in the area.
この町には江戸時代からの名家がいくつもある。
There are several distinguished families in this town that go back to the Edo period.
名家の生まれであることを、本人はあまり口にしない。
He rarely speaks about the fact that he was born into a distinguished family.
Refers to a prestigious household with long-standing social standing, often with inherited status or a hereditary role.
USAGE:
- Often paired with 出 (origin): 名家の出 = "of distinguished family origin."
- Commonly used in historical and biographical writing, and occasionally in everyday speech to describe someone's background.
- Can refer to families distinguished in a specific field, e.g., a 茶道の名家 (renowned tea ceremony family).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 名家の出: (someone) of distinguished family origin
- 名家の子息: the son of a distinguished family
- 名家に生まれる: to be born into a distinguished family
- 政治の名家: a distinguished political family
- 地元の名家: a prominent local family
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 旧家: an old established family — emphasizes length of history more than prestige.
- 名門: prestigious family or institution — also used for schools, clubs, etc.; broader in application than 名家.
- 家柄: family lineage or pedigree — abstract quality, not a family itself.
- 名士: a distinguished person — refers to an individual rather than a family.