爱人

• 拼音: ài ren
• 汉字拆解: 爱 (ài) — love; 人 (rén) — person. Literally 'loved one'

含义

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.

例句

1. 我爱人今天出差去北京了。
2. 你爱人喜欢吃什么？
3. 他和爱人一起去旅行了。

用法指南

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

语气: neutral, respectful

正确说法

• 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?)

错误说法

• 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.

起源与历史

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

文化背景

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

社会背景: Universal