家父長制
kafuchōsei[ka̠ɸɯ̟̊t͡ɕo̞ːse̞ː]
The English word "patriarchy" is translated into Japanese as 家父長制 (kafuchōsei).
家父長制 is used to describe the dominance of men in social or cultural systems. It is primarily used in academic, sociological or political contexts to discuss social structures.
Meaning: dominance of men in social or cultural systems (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 家父長制 is composed of 家 (family/house), 父長 (patriarch/head of family) and 制 (system/regime).
How does it change in a sentence?
As a noun, 家父長制 can be used as a subject or object without changing its form, though it is often followed by particles like が or を.
How do you pronounce it?
kafuchōsei
Did you know?
- In Japanese discourse, 家父長制 is often linked to the idiom 男尊女卑, which literally describes a world where men are respected and women are looked down upon.
- While 家父長制 is the general term for patriarchy, the specific historical Japanese structure was the 家制度 ('ie system'), which legally mandated that only the eldest son inherited the family's entire estate.
- The character 家 in 家父長制 refers to a corporate family lineage that exists across generations rather than a physical building or a nuclear family.
Examples in context
- 社会のさまざまな側面で父権制度が見受けられる。The patriarchy can be observed in various aspects of society.
- 家父長制の影響はまだ強い。kafuchōsei no eikyō wa mada tsuyoi.The influence of patriarchy is still strong.
- 彼女は家父長制に反対している。kanojo wa kafuchōsei ni hantai shite iru.She is against the patriarchy.
- 家父長制が社会の仕組みを作ってきた。kafuchōsei ga shakai no shikumi o tsukutte kita.Patriarchy has shaped the structure of society.
Example conversation
Two university students are discussing a sociology lecture.
- 大翔 Hiroto今日の講義は家父長制についてだったね。kyō no kōgi wa kafuchōsei ni tsuite datta ne.Today's lecture was about patriarchy, wasn't it?
- 美咲 Misakiうん、すごく難しいテーマだった。un, sugoku muzukashii tēma datta.Yeah, it was a very difficult theme.
- 大翔 Hiroto美咲は、どう感じた？misaki wa, dō kanjita?Misaki, how did you feel about it?
- 美咲 Misaki現代でも課題は多いと思う。gendai demo kadai wa ooi to omou.I think there are still many issues today.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 家父長制, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
