What does 가족 mean?

가족 (ga-jok, gajok)

가족 (gajok) means a group of people related by blood or marriage. It's common in daily and formal contexts.

Definition of 가족 meaning family

Definition & nuance

Core meaning and shades learners miss.

가족(ga-jok, gajok)

가족 means a group of people connected by blood, marriage, or adoption, typically including parents, children, siblings, and spouses.

Nuances

  • Includes blood, marriage, and adoption relations.
  • Used to emphasize emotional bonds.
  • Commonly appears in formal documents and speeches.

When to use

daily conversation, family events, business conversation

In context

‘가족’ is a noun that can function as subject, object, or complement in sentences. It is respectful and suitable for both casual and formal contexts.

Real-world examples

  • 우리 가족은 다섯 명이에요.

    u-ri ga-jok-eun da-seos myeong-i-e-yo., u ri ga jok eun da seos myeong i e yo.

    Correct use of ‘가족’ as the subject.

  • 가족과 함께 여행을 갔어요.

    ga-jok-gwa ham-kke yeo-haeng-eul gass-eo-yo., ga jok gwa ham kke yeo haeng eul gass eo yo.

    Natural phrase meaning ‘with family’.

  • 가족은 소중한 친구예요.

    ga-jok-eun so-jung-han chin-gu-ye-yo., ga jok eun so jung han chin gu ye yo.

    Family is not a friend; meaning is awkward.

  • 가족을 사랑해야 해요.

    ga-jok-eul sa-rang-hae-ya hae-yo., ga jok eul sa rang hae ya hae yo.

    Proper use of ‘가족’ as an object.

  • 가족이 행복해요.

    ga-jok-i haeng-bok-hae-yo., ga jok i haeng bok hae yo.

    Natural use of ‘가족’ as subject.

  • 친구 가족을 만났어요.

    chin-gu ga-jok-eul man-nass-eo-yo., chin gu ga jok eul man nass eo yo.

    Natural compound noun use.

Quick quiz

  1. What does ‘가족’ mean?

    ‘가족’의 뜻은 무엇인가요?(‘ga-jok’uitteus-eunmu-eos-in-ga-yo?, ‘gajok’uitteuseunmueosingayo?)
  2. Which sentence uses ‘가족’ correctly?

    다음 중 ‘가족’을 올바르게 사용한 문장은?(da-eumjung‘ga-jok’eulol-ba-reu-gesa-yong-hanmun-jang-eun?, daeumjung‘gajok’eulolbareugesayonghanmunjangeun?)
  3. Which is NOT included in ‘가족’ relationships?

    ‘가족’이 포함하는 관계가 아닌 것은?(‘ga-jok’ipo-ham-ha-neungwan-gye-gaa-ningeos-eun?, ‘gajok’ipohamhaneungwangyegaaningeoseun?)

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