縁者|えんじゃenja[1]atamadaka (head-high)

1. nounrelative; relation

• Synonym身寄りみよりNeutralRelatives to fall back on; mostly seen in the negative 「身寄りがない」, i.e. having no one to depend on. Stresses whether you have support, not kinship as such.
• Synonym親戚しんせきNeutralThe everyday, most common word for relatives. 「縁者」 is more written in flavor and mostly appears in the set phrase 「親類縁者」.
• Synonym親類しんるいNeutralNearly synonymous with 「親戚」, a touch more written; commonly in 「親類縁者」. 「縁者」 seldom stands alone.
• Synonym縁戚えんせきWrittenWritten, formal word for relatives, used when speaking of ties between families; in conversation say 「親戚」.
• Related眷属けんぞくWrittenOne's family and household, also followers or retainers; literary and old-fashioned, and in Buddhism the attendants of gods and Buddhas. Not for daily use.
• Antonym他人たにんNeutralSomeone with no family tie — other people, outsiders. The opposite of 「縁者」, who are bound by kinship.
• Antonym無縁むえんNeutralNo bond or kinship; also a deceased person with no one to make offerings. Opposite of 「縁者」 in having or lacking kin.

For relatives in everyday speech, say 「親戚」. 「縁者」 is more written and usually appears in 「親類縁者」; 「親類」 is close to 「親戚」. For having no one to rely on, use 「身寄りがない」. 「縁戚」 and 「眷属」 are formal/literary. The opposites are 「他人」 and 「無縁」.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. 自分じぶんと縁えんがあるもの。
2. 親戚しんせき関係かんけいがあるもの。
3. （近世きんせいにおいて、血縁けつえんのある「親類しんるい」と区別くべつして）姻戚いんせき関係かんけいがあるもの。姻族いんぞく。