1.
family status; pedigree; lineage
A person's social standing as determined by the family they were born into. Often refers to the distinction or prestige of one's family background.
門地による差別は許されない。
Discrimination based on family status is not permitted.
日本国憲法は門地による差別を禁止している。
The Japanese Constitution prohibits discrimination based on family lineage.
昔は門地が高い家に生まれることが重要だった。
In the past, it was important to be born into a family of high pedigree.
Composed of 門 (gate, family) + 地 (status, ground). Literally "the ground on which the family gate stands," referring to the social standing inherited through birth.
LEGAL CONTEXT:
This word appears in Article 14 of the Japanese Constitution, which guarantees equality: 人種、信条、性別、社会的身分又は門地により...差別されない ("shall not be discriminated against on the basis of race, creed, sex, social status, or family origin").
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 門地による差別: discrimination based on lineage
- 門地が高い: of high pedigree
- 門地を問わず: regardless of family background
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 家柄: family lineage, pedigree — more commonly used in everyday speech
- 身分: social status, standing — broader than family background alone
- 血統: bloodline, lineage — emphasizes genetic descent