Weekly Word: Home, Family – 家 jiā.

Whether in Eastern or Western culture, family has always been a very important part in
everyone’s heart. So, our word of the week is 家(jiā), meaning ‘home, family’

Pronunciation

家 is pronounced jiā.

Meaning

The character 家 (jiā) was first seen in Oracle bone script in Shang Dynasty,  Its meaning is home or family.

The top portion of the character for “home” is 宀, which represents a roof. The bottom part is 豕 (shǐ), an old character for “pig” or “swine.” How did “a pig under a roof” come to mean “home”? In the old days, those who were able to raise pigs were considered well-off, because they had ample food to eat. Thus, the character 家 (jiā) represents the aspiration of a well-fed household.

Example

四海为家 （sì hǎi wéi jiā ）

Literally: make a home wherever you are. Meaning: to talk about those who, because of lofty ideals, can settle anywhere they are needed.

冤家路窄 （yuān jiā lù zhǎi）

Literally: enemies on a narrow road. Meaning: an inevitable clash between opposing factions.

家家户户（jiā jiā hù hù）

Literally: each and every family. Meaning: every household