配偶者
haigūsha[ha̠iɡɯ̟ːɕa̠]
The Japanese phrase for spouse is 配偶者 (haigūsha). If unsure, use 配偶者. Wiktionary also lists 伴侶 (hanryo).
Meaning: person in a marriage or marital relationship (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 配偶者 | haigūsha | [ha̠iɡɯ̟ːɕa̠] (narrow) |
| 伴侶 | hanryo | [hã̠n̺ɾʲo̞] (narrow) |
This phrase refers to a person in a marriage or marital relationship.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 配偶者 is composed of 配 meaning to distribute or assign, 偶 meaning pair or mate and 者 meaning person.
Which one should you use?
配偶者 is a formal and legalistic term, whereas 伴侶 is a more poetic or literary term often used to describe a life partner or soulmate.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
配偶者 is a formal term used in official documents and administrative contexts. In contrast, 旦那 is used to mean husband in informal settings and 妻 is a formal term used to refer to a wife.
How do you pronounce it?
haigūsha
Did you know?
- The kanji for 'mate' in 配偶者, 偶, is also the same character used in the word for 'coincidence' (偶然, gūzen), linking the idea of a pair to something that happens by chance.
- The term 旦那 (danna), mentioned as an informal way to say husband, actually has roots in the word for 'master' or 'lord', reflecting a historical social hierarchy.
- In very traditional Japanese households, some people refer to their spouse as うちの人 meaning 'the person of my house' to avoid using a direct title.
Examples in context
- 配偶者を殺すのは、婚姻関係を終わらせる一つの方法です。ただし、良しとされることではありません。Killing your spouse is one way to end a marriage. However, it's frowned upon.This sentence is useful for illustrating the use of 配偶者 in a serious context.Tatoeba #942819 by thyc244, translation #941286 by CK
- この方は私の夫です。This person is my husband.
- 彼女は私の妻です。She is my wife.
- 配偶者の名前を教えてください。haiguusha no namae o oshiete kudasai.Please tell me your spouse's name.
- 配偶者と一緒に旅行に行きます。haiguusha to issho ni ryokou ni ikimasu.I will go on a trip with my spouse.
Example conversation
Hiyori and Ren are filling out insurance forms at an office.
- 陽葵 Himariこの欄に配偶者の情報を記入してね。kono ran ni haigūsha no jōhō o kinyū shite ne.Please enter your spouse's information in this section.
- 蓮 Renあ、僕はまだ独身だから書かなくていいんだよね。a, boku wa mada dokushin dakara kakanakute ii nda yo ne.Oh, I'm still single, so I don't need to write it, right?
- 陽葵 Himariそうだったね。じゃあ、ここは空欄でいいよ。sō datta ne. jaa, koko wa kūran de ii yo.That's true. Then you can leave this blank.
- 蓮 Renありがとう、陽葵さん。arigatō, Hiyori-san.Thank you, Hiyori.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “spouse” translations and entries 配偶者, 伴侶, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
