Usage note
“家”可以指我们住的房子，也可以指和我们住在一起的亲人。
“jiā” kěyǐ zhǐ wǒmen zhù de fángzi, yě kěyǐ zhǐ hé wǒmen zhù zài yīqǐ de qīnrén.
This word can mean the physical house where we live, or the family members we live with.
Context note
家这个词用来表示我们住的地方，也指和我们住在一起的亲人。它属于家庭话题。
jiā zhè ge cí yòng lái biǎo shì wǒ men zhù de dì fang, yě zhǐ hé wǒ men zhù zài yī qǐ de qīn rén. tā shǔ yú jiā tíng huà tí.
This word is used to talk about the place where we live, and also the family members we live with. It belongs to the topic of family.
5 examples
我家住在城市里
Wǒ jiā zhuì xià chéng shì lǐ
My family lives in the city.
我们家有三个孩子
Wǒmen jiā yǒu sān gè háizi
Our family has three children.
周末我常回家
Zú wò rì wǒ cháng huí jiā
On weekends, I often go home.
我家的猫很可爱
Wǒ jiā de māo hěn kě ài
The cat at my house is very cute.
我爱我的家
Wǒ ài wǒ de jiā
I love my family/home.
5 mini stories
妈妈在家做饭。爸爸在看报纸。
Māma zài jiā chuàng fàn. Dàbà zài kàn bǎo zhǐ.
Mom is cooking at home. Dad is reading the newspaper.
妹妹在家里画画。哥哥在玩玩具。
Xiōngdì zài jīnɡuó huà huà. Gēge zài wán wǎnyào.
My younger sister is drawing at home. My brother is playing with toys.
我们一家人去公园玩。
Wǒmen yī jiā rén qù gōngyuán wán.
Our whole family went to the park to play.
爷爷奶奶住在乡下，离我家不远。
Lǎoyé nǎinai zhù zài xiāngxià, lí wǒ jiā bù yuǎn.
Grandpa and grandma live in the countryside, not far from my home.
我每天放学回家。
Wǒ měitiān xuéfá huí jiā.
I go home after school every day.
Mini dialogue
我的家
A
你的家在哪里？
Nǐ de jiā zài nǎlǐ?
Where is your home?
B
我的家在学校旁边。
Wǒ de jiā zài xuéxiào pángbiān.
My home is next to the school.
一家人
A
我们一家人去公园。
Wǒmen yì jiā rén qù gōngyuán.
Our family goes to the park.
B
好开心，我爱我家。
Hǎo kāixīn, wǒ ài wǒ jiā.
So happy, I love my family.
Related words and contrasts
similar
家庭
jiātíng
family (formal)
家 is more casual; 家庭 is used in formal contexts like 'family education'.
related
家人
jiārén
family members
Refers to the people in a family.
related
家乡
jiāxiāng
hometown
The place where your family comes from.