奥様
okusama[o̞kɯ̟̊sa̠ma̠]
The Japanese word for madam is 奥様 (okusama). Wiktionary also lists 奥さん (okusan).
Meaning: polite term of address to a woman (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 奥様 | okusama | [o̞kɯ̟̊sa̠ma̠] (narrow) |
| 奥さん | okusan | [o̞kɯ̟̊sã̠ɴ] (narrow) |
Both provided forms are used as polite terms of address or to refer to a woman.
What does it mean word for word?
The term literally means 'the person in the inner/back part of the house'.
Which one should you use?
奥様 is the highly formal version, while 奥さん is a standard polite way to refer to someone else's wife.
How do you pronounce it?
okusama
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using 奥様 or 奥さん to refer to your own wife, as these are honorifics used for others.
Did you know?
- If you are at a high-end hotel or department store, the staff will use 奥様 (okusama) to address female customers to show extreme respect, much like the English 'ma'am'.
- The honorific suffix 様 (sama) in 奥様 (okusama) is a more intense version of さん (san). It is used to show a level of respect typically reserved for deities, customers or royalty.
- When talking about one's own wife in a formal setting, a speaker might use the word 家内 (kanai), which literally translates to 'inside the house'.
Examples in context
- あちらの奥様はとても上品ですね。Achira no okusama wa totemo jōhin desu ne.That lady over there is very elegant.
- 奥様、こちらへどうぞ。Okusama, kochira e dōzo.Madam, please come this way.
- 社長の奥様にお会いしました。Shachō no okusama ni o-ai shimashita.I met the president's wife.
Example conversation
A hotel concierge greeting a female guest.
- 結衣 Yui奥様、お荷物をお持ちしましょうか？Okusama, o-nimotsu o o-mochi shimashō ka?Madam, shall I carry your luggage?
- 大翔 Hirotoええ、お願いします。Ee, o-negai shimasu.Yes, please.
- 結衣 Yuiお部屋までご案内いたします。O-heya made go-annai itashimasu.I will guide you to your room.
- 大翔 Hirotoありがとうございます。Arigatō gozaimasu.Thank you very much.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “madam” translations and entries 奥様, 奥さん, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
