tōngjiā

通家

Word · Noun

families of long-standing friendship; in-laws; expert

Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma

Meanings

3 senses · 10 examples
1.

noun

families with generations of close friendship

literary

Classical term indicating deep, multi-generational friendship between families, often used in formal or historical contexts.

Wǒ我
men们
liǎng两
jiā家
shì是
tōng通
jiā家
zhī之
hǎo好
 。

Our two families have been friends for generations.

Tōng通
jiā家
zhī之
yì谊
 ,
shì世
dài代
xiāng相
chuán传
 。

The friendship between our families has been passed down through generations.

Show 1 more example
Tā他
men们
yǒu有
zhe着
tōng通
jiā家
de的
guān关
xi系
 ,
wǎng往
lái来
shí十
fēn分
mì密
qiè切
 。

They have a relationship of close family friends and visit each other frequently.

2.

noun

in-laws; relatives by marriage

literary

Refers to families connected through marriage, often used in formal or traditional contexts.

Wǒ我
men们
shì是
tōng通
jiā家
qīn亲
qi戚
 。

We are in-laws.

Liǎng两
jiā家
jié结
wéi为
tōng通
jiā家
 ,
wǎng往
lái来
gèng更
jiā加
mì密
qiè切
 。

The two families became related by marriage and grew even closer.

Show 1 more example
Tōng通
jiā家
zhī之
qīn亲
 ,
lǐ礼
shù数
bù不
kě可
fèi废
 。

As in-laws, proper etiquette cannot be neglected.

3.

noun

expert; connoisseur; person in the know

literary

Refers to someone who is well-versed or experienced in a particular field, often implying deep knowledge or expertise.

Tā他
shì是
zhè这
fāng方
miàn面
de的
tōng通
jiā家
 。

He is an expert in this field.

Fēi非
tōng通
jiā家
bù不
néng能
dào道
cǐ此
 。

Only an expert could say this.

Show 2 more examples
Zhè这
wèi位
tōng通
jiā家
duì对
gǔ古
huà画
hěn很
yǒu有
yán研
jiū究
 。

This connoisseur has done extensive research on ancient paintings.

Yào要
jiàn鉴
bié别
zhēn真
wěi伪
 ,
hái还
děi得
qǐng请
tōng通
jiā家
lái来
 。

To authenticate the piece, we need to invite an expert.