夫

• Reading: おっと
• Romaji: otto
• Kanji breakdown: 夫 (fu/otto) — husband, man
• Pronunciation: /ot.to/

Meaning

Husband. A neutral term used when referring to one's own husband.

Used when speaking about one's own husband to others. More neutral than 主人 (shujin), which some consider old-fashioned due to its literal meaning of 'master.' In modern Japanese, 夫 is increasingly preferred as a gender-neutral alternative. The counterpart is 妻 (tsuma, wife). 旦那 (danna) and 旦那さん are more casual alternatives.

Examples

1. 夫は会社員です。 My husband is an office worker.
2. 夫と一緒に料理を作ります。 I cook together with my husband.
3. 夫が風邪をひいてしまいました。 My husband caught a cold.

Usage Guide

Context: family, introductions, conversations about family

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Chinese 夫 (fū). The kanji depicts a grown man standing tall, originally meaning 'adult male.' The meaning narrowed to 'husband' in modern usage.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: Adults

Social background: Universal