How to Say “Immediate family” in Chinese
Relationships and family · HSK 3
"Immediate family" in Chinese is 直系亲属 (zhí xì qīn shǔ). 直系亲属 is the formal, almost legal term for immediate family; parents, spouse, children, siblings. You'll see it on hospital forms, visa applications, and HR paperwork.
Primary translation
直系亲属
zhí xì qīn shǔ
Traditional: 直系親屬
Variants by register
Formal
直系亲属
zhí xì qīn shǔ
Casual
一家人
yì jiā rén
When to use it
直系亲属 is the formal, almost legal term for immediate family; parents, spouse, children, siblings. You'll see it on hospital forms, visa applications, and HR paperwork. In everyday speech Chinese people rarely say 直系亲属; they just say 一家人 (our family) or 家里人 (the people at home). 亲属 (qīn shǔ) means 'relatives' and 直系 means 'direct line', so it literally describes the direct bloodline. For casual chat, stick with 家里人.
Example sentences
只有直系亲属才能进ICU探望。
Zhǐ yǒu zhí xì qīn shǔ cái néng jìn ICU tàn wàng.
Only immediate family can visit patients in the ICU.
表格上要填直系亲属的联系方式。
Biǎo gé shàng yào tián zhí xì qīn shǔ de lián xì fāng shì.
The form asks for an immediate family member's contact info.
我们一家人周末总是一起吃饭。
Wǒ men yì jiā rén zhōu mò zǒng shì yì qǐ chī fàn.
Our immediate family always eats together on weekends.