爱人

• Pinyin: ài ren
• Hanzi breakdown: 爱 (ài) — love; 人 (rén) — person. Literally 'loved one'

Meaning

Spouse; husband or wife. A gender-neutral term common in mainland China.

Common in mainland China, especially among older generations and in formal contexts. In Taiwan and among overseas Chinese, it can sometimes mean 'lover' rather than spouse.

Examples

1. 我爱人今天出差去北京了。 My spouse went on a business trip to Beijing today.
2. 你爱人喜欢吃什么？ What does your spouse like to eat?
3. 他和爱人一起去旅行了。 He went travelling with his spouse.

Usage Guide

Context: talking about one's spouse, formal introductions, work settings

Tone: neutral, respectful

Do Say

• 我爱人在家休息。(My spouse is resting at home.)
• 请问，你爱人也来吗？(Will your spouse be coming as well?)

Don't Say

• Avoid using 爱人 to mean 'romantic partner' in Taiwan contexts, where it can sound like you are referring to a secret lover rather than a legal spouse.

Origin & History

Popularized in mainland China after 1949 as a progressive, gender-neutral term to replace more traditional words for husband or wife.

Cultural Context

Generation: Older and middle-aged generations; less common among young people

Social background: Universal