妻
JLPT N3
Wife
Readings
On’yomi: サイ (sai)
Kun’yomi: つま (tsuma)
• つま – wife
Structure
Composition:
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Detailed Explanation
Vocabulary
妻
つま
wife
夫妻
ふさい
couple
妻子
さいし
wife and children
人妻
ひとづま
married woman
新妻
しんづま
new bride
Example Sentences
妻と話します。
つま と はなします。
I talk with my wife.
夫妻で来ます。
ふさい で きます。
The couple comes.
妻子を守ります。
さいし を まもります。
He protects his wife and children.
人妻です。
ひとづま です。
She is a married woman.
新妻です。
しんづま です。
She is a new bride.
Cultural Note
👘 The word 妻 (つま) is a respectful and neutral way to say wife.
• In formal speech, one often says “家内 (かない)” (my wife, literally “inside the house”) or “奥さん (おくさん)” (someone else’s wife, polite).
• Historically, 妻 carried the nuance of partner managing the home, while modern usage focuses on marital status and companionship.
• In formal speech, one often says “家内 (かない)” (my wife, literally “inside the house”) or “奥さん (おくさん)” (someone else’s wife, polite).
• Historically, 妻 carried the nuance of partner managing the home, while modern usage focuses on marital status and companionship.