familiales

Familiales is the feminine plural form of the French adjective familial, meaning relating to or pertaining to family. The singular feminine form is familiale, and the masculine plural form is familiaux. Derived from Latin familia, the term is used to describe things associated with families or households. It appears most often with feminine plural nouns, for example structures familiales, relations familiales, dynamiques familiales, or violences familiales.

Usage of the term spans several domains. In sociology and anthropology, it describes family structures and kinship patterns, such as structures familiales or relations familiales. In everyday language and policy discussions, it can refer to family dynamics or family matters, as in dynamiques familiales or violences familiales (domestic violence). In medical contexts, phrases like maladies familiales or antécédents familiaux describe conditions or medical histories that run in families. In legal or administrative language within some jurisdictions, related phrases may appear in discussions of family law or matters considered under the umbrella of “affaires familiales.”

Etymology and grammar note that familiales derives from the Latin root familia, with standard French adjective inflection: familiale (singular feminine), familles (plural for the noun form), and familiaux (masculine plural). The form familiales is specifically used with feminine plural nouns.