丈夫

じょうぶ

strong, solid, durable

JLPT N5

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"丈夫" (zhàngfu) primarily means "husband" in everyday Mandarin. It refers specifically to a married man in relation to his wife. Beyond this, it can also imply masculine qualities or manliness in a broader sense, though this usage is less common in daily conversation.

Common Collocations

  • 丈夫妻子 (husband and wife): used to talk about married couples and their relationship.
  • 负责丈夫 (responsible husband): emphasizes the husband's role and character.
  • 支持丈夫 (support one's husband): common in contexts discussing family or work support.

Usage Notes

When using "丈夫," it is typically in formal or neutral contexts referring to one's spouse. In casual speech, people might also say "" (lǎogōng) for husband. The word "丈夫" can also appear in literary or formal writing to highlight the role or qualities of a husband.

Common Confusion

Do not confuse "丈夫" with "" (nánzǐ), which means "man" in general without the marital implication. "丈夫" always implies a marital relationship unless used metaphorically to describe masculinity.

Character Insights

The characters "" and "" both relate to manhood and husbandry. "" can mean "gentleman" or "man," and "" means "man" or "husband." Together, they form the compound "丈夫," emphasizing the role of a man as a husband.

Example Sentences

Her husband is very supportive of her work.

Husband and wife should respect each other.

He is a very responsible husband.

Zhàngfu not only means a married man but can also describe masculine

Her husband is responsible for cooking and taking care of the children at