亲属 qīnshǔ kin
kin; kindred; relatives
How to remember 亲属: 亲 kin + 属 class = kin.
Characters
How it is used
- Relatives/kin (formal) - 直系亲属 (zhíxì qīnshǔ) immediate family, 亲属关系 kinship.
- 亲属 is the formal/legal term; everyday speech uses 亲戚 (qīnqi) for relatives.
- Common in official/legal contexts: 通知家属/亲属 to notify next of kin.
- Contrast 家人 (jiārén, household family) - 亲属 spans the wider blood/marriage network.