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家

Character guide

Chinese Tattoo 家: Meaning, Strokes & Design

家 means home, household or family. It can refer to a physical place, the people who live there or a feeling of belonging, depending on context.

Pinyin jiāStrokes 10Meaning home, house, familyTraditional 家

What does 家 mean?

家 (jiā) means house, home, residence or family. It appears in 家庭 (family), 家乡 (home town) and 回家 (to return home). The character can refer to a physical house, a household or a broader sense of belonging.

Is 家 suitable for a tattoo?

Yes. With 10 strokes, it has a moderate structure and works well in regular script. It is a common and emotionally direct choice, so the placement and scale should fit the meaning rather than overwhelm it.

Design notes

ScriptRegular script keeps the roof and lower components balanced.
ScaleIt works on a forearm, calf or upper arm at moderate size.
MeaningHome can mean a place or a relationship; the design cannot specify which.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming 家 only means a physical house.
  • Using a decorative script that changes the internal structure.
  • Adding words that create an unintended family phrase.

Related characters

Bamboo 竹Dragon 龙Courage 勇Harmony 和Love 爱Wisdom 智Virtue 德Blessing 福Peace 安Goodness 善Trust 信The Way 道Benevolence 仁Stillness 静Joy 喜How we verify

家 versus 家庭 and 家乡

家 can mean a house, a household, a family or a feeling of belonging. 家庭 usually means family as a social unit, 家乡 means one’s home town or native place, and 回家 means to return home. The single character is broader than any one of these translations.

Why context matters

A design using 家 may suggest family, shelter, belonging or a place to return to. The intended feeling should be explained before the design is made permanent or used in a product. Do not assume that the character specifies a traditional family structure or guarantees a harmonious home.

Pairing and use

家 pairs well with characters related to harmony, warmth or care, but the complete phrase must sound natural with any surname or surrounding wording. Check the full design rather than judging the single character in isolation.