In a family way Meaning in English
expression
in-uh FAM-uh-lee way
in-uh FAM-i-lee way
Definition
A polite or old-fashioned way to say that a woman is pregnant.
Usage & Nuances
This expression is polite, indirect, and somewhat old-fashioned. Mainly found in written English, classic literature, or very polite conversation. Rare in modern casual speech; 'pregnant' is more common now.
Spanish: embarazada (forma delicada) - en estado (eufemismo)Portuguese (BR): grávida (forma delicada) - esperando bebê (eufemismo)Portuguese (PT): grávida (forma delicada) - em estado (eufemismo)Chinese (Simplified): 怀孕（委婉说法）Chinese (Traditional): 懷孕（委婉說法）Hindi: गर्भवती (संकेतात्मक)Arabic: حامل (تعبير مهذب)Bengali: গর্ভবতী (পুরনোভাবে) - মা হতে চলেছে (সম্ভ্রান্তভাবে)Russian: в положении - беременна (старомодно)Japanese: おめでた - 妊娠している（婉曲的・古風）Vietnamese: mang thai (cách nói lịch sự, xưa) - có tin vuiKorean: 임신 중이다 (옛 표현)Turkish: hamile (nazik veya eski ifadeyle)Urdu: امید سے ہونا (پرانا یا مودبانہ انداز)Indonesian: sedang mengandung (ungkapan lama atau sopan)
Example Sentences
She is in a family way.
basic
My aunt is in a family way and expecting her first child.
basic
The doctor confirmed she was in a family way.
basic
People started to notice she was in a family way, even before she announced it.
natural
She didn't want everyone to know she was in a family way just yet.
natural
Saying someone is in a family way sounds gentle and a bit old-fashioned these days.
natural