extended family / large family
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extended family
A family that consists of several generations, e.g. grandparents, parents, children, uncles, and aunts, and often lives under one roof or in close proximity.
Früher war es üblich, dass drei Generationen als Großfamilie auf einem Bauernhof lebten.
In the past, it was common for three generations to live as an extended family on a farm.
large family
A family with an above-average number of children.
Mit ihren sieben Kindern gelten sie heutzutage als Großfamilie.
With their seven children, they are considered a large family nowadays.
The word consists of 'groß' (big/large) and 'Familie' (family). Here, 'groß' can refer to two aspects: the number of generations living together or the high number of children.
Sie hat eine Großfamilie und immer viel zu tun.
She has a large family and is always very busy.
Which meaning is intended often becomes clear from the context. If people mention 'mehrere Generationen' (several generations) or 'Großeltern' (grandparents), it refers to a multigenerational family. If a specific number of children is mentioned, it is about the size of the family.
Zur Großfamilie gehörten auch die Onkel und Tanten.
The extended family also included the uncles and aunts.
The model of the 'Großfamilie' (extended family), in which several generations live together, is often associated today with the past or with rural regions. In many cultures, however, it is still common today.
Meine Großmutter ist noch in einer Großfamilie auf einem Bauernhof aufgewachsen.
My grandmother still grew up in an extended family on a farm.
clan
Clan and Großfamilie can include many people who are related to one another. Großfamilie mainly describes a family structure consisting of several generations that often live together or close to one another. Clan places more emphasis on a family group with common ancestry, a shared name, and an identity visible to outsiders.
In den benachbarten Häusern lebt die Großfamilie mit drei Generationen zusammen.
The extended family, with three generations, lives together in the neighboring houses.
Beim großen Fest tritt die verwandte Gruppe unter ihrem gemeinsamen Namen als Clan auf.
At the large celebration, the related group appears as a clan under its shared name.
