Definition
本家 refers to relatives who share the same ancestral clan — typically those with the same surname from the same ancestral lineage. In traditional Chinese society, the 本家 line (the 'main house' or 'original family') is distinguished from分支 families or in-laws. It can also refer to one's own birth family (as opposed to a married family). You'll hear it in family discussions about genealogy, inheritance, or seniority within the clan.
n.
a member of the same clan (same ancestral surname lineage)one's own birth family (as opposed to in-laws or adopted family)
Examples
- 本家，，。Wǒmen shì běn jiā, dōu xìng Lǐ, wǎng shàng shǔ sān bǎi nián shì yì jiā.We're from the same clan; both surnamed Li, and tracing back three hundred years we're one family.
- 本家。Tā hūn hòu hái jīngcháng huí běn jiā kànkan fùmǔ.After marriage she often goes back to her birth family to visit her parents.
- 本家。Zúpǔ lǐ jìzǎi le wǒmen běn jiā de suǒyǒu zǔxiān.The genealogy records all our clan's ancestors.
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