语法 · HSK 1–2
家 (jiā) vs 房子 (fángzi): "home / family" vs "house"
家 means "home" or "family": 我回家 "I'm going home", 我家有四口人 "There are four people in my family". 房子 is the physical building or apartment that you buy, rent or decorate: 这套房子很贵 "This apartment/house is expensive". Meanwhile, a single room inside a home or hotel is 房间 (or 屋子), never 房子.
句型Patterns
回家 / 在家 / 去你家Home as a place (no 里 needed after 在 or 回).我家 + PeopleFamily: 我家在北京, 我家有三口人.买 / 租 + 一套房子Physical house or apartment building.一个房间A room inside a house or hotel: 打扫房间.
例句Examples
- 周末我喜欢待在家里看书。zhōu mò wǒ xǐ huan dài zài jiā lǐ kàn shū.At weekends I like staying at home to read.
- 他们在市中心租了一套两居室的房子。tā men zài shì zhōng xīn zū le yí tào liǎng jū shì de fáng zi.They rented a two-bedroom apartment in the city centre.
- 你的房间太乱了，快收拾一下吧。nǐ de fáng jiān tài luàn le, kuài shōu shi yí xià ba.Your room is too messy; tidy it up quickly.
常见错误Common mistakes
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✗我下班以后回房子。
✓我下班以后回家。
"Go home" is always 回家, not 回房子.
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✗这个房子里有一张床和一张桌子。（meaning "this bedroom"）
✓这个房间里有一张床和一张桌子。
A room inside a home is 房间; 房子 refers to the whole house or flat.
重点词语Words in this guide
Common questions
What is the measure word for 家, 房子 and 房间?
A house or apartment is 一套房子 or 一栋房子; a room is 一个房间 (or 一间屋子); 家 as a business/shop/restaurant is 一家饭馆 or 一家公司.