妻

• Reading: つま
• Romaji: tsuma
• Kanji breakdown: 妻 (sai/tsuma) — wife
• Pronunciation: /tsɯ.ma/

Meaning

Wife (humble). Used to refer to one's own wife when speaking to others.

The standard humble term for referring to one's own wife in polite conversation. Unlike 奥さん (okusan), which is used for someone else's wife, 妻 is appropriate when talking about your own spouse to others. In very casual speech, some people use 嫁 (yome) instead, though 妻 is considered the most proper term.

Examples

1. 妻は今、仕事に行っています。 My wife is at work right now.
2. 妻と一緒に旅行に行きました。 I went on a trip with my wife.
3. 妻が作った料理はとてもおいしいです。 The food my wife made is really delicious.

Usage Guide

Context: family, introductions, polite conversation

Tone: humble

Origin & History

From Old Japanese つま (tsuma), originally meaning 'companion' or 'partner.' The kanji 妻 combines 女 (woman) with a hand reaching for grain, suggesting a woman of the household.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: Adults

Social background: Universal