Meaning and Usage
"妻" (つま) specifically means "wife" and is used humbly when referring to one's own wife. It is a common word in everyday conversation and formal contexts alike.
Common Collocations
- 妻は (つまは): used to talk about one's wife as the subject.
- 私の妻 (わたしのつま): "my wife," a straightforward way to introduce or refer to one's spouse.
- 妻に (つまに): used when doing something for or to one's wife.
Nuances and Tips
When using "妻," the speaker is usually referring to their own wife in a respectful or humble way. It is less common to use "妻" when talking about someone else's wife; instead, "奥さん" (おくさん) or "奥様" (おくさま) are more polite and common for that purpose.
Learners sometimes confuse "妻" with "嫁" (よめ), which can mean "bride" or "daughter-in-law" depending on context. Remember that "妻" is the neutral, respectful term for one's own wife.
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"妻" is polite and neutral, suitable for both casual and formal speech when talking about your own wife.