こちらは私の夫です
kochira wa watashi no otto desu
The phrase "this is my husband" in Japanese is こちらは私の夫です (kochira wa watashi no otto desu).
This phrase is used when introducing your husband to someone outside of your immediate family, such as a colleague or an acquaintance.
Which one should you use?
While 夫 (otto) is used to refer to one's own husband when speaking to others, shujin is a more formal/traditional alternative and danna is a more colloquial way to refer to one's husband.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase こちらは私の夫です is a polite, standard way to introduce a husband in social settings. The phrase こちらが、私の夫です is a polite way to say 'This is my husband.'
How does it change in a sentence?
The word 夫 (otto) is a noun and does not change form based on whether you are talking about one husband or multiple husbands.
How do you pronounce it?
kochira wa watashi no otto desu
Did you know?
- The word 旦那 (danna) was historically used to refer to a patron of the arts or a wealthy benefactor. Over time, it evolved into a colloquial term for a husband, reflecting a sense of the husband as the provider.
- While こちら (kochira) means 'this direction' or 'this way', it is used here as a polite pronoun for 'this person'. It effectively points towards the husband in a way that is much more respectful than the standard 'this' (kore).
- In Japanese culture, the way you refer to your husband changes based on whether you are talking *about* him to someone else or talking *to* him directly. You would never use the same word to address him as you would to introduce him to a stranger.
Examples in context
- これが、うちの旦那（ダンナ）なんだ。よろしくね！This is my husband. Nice to meet you!
- こちらが、私の夫です。どうぞよろしくお願いします。Allow me to introduce my husband. It's a pleasure to meet you.
- こちらは私の夫です。Kochira wa watashi no otto desu.This is my husband.
- あ、こちらは私の夫です。よろしくお願いします。A, kochira wa watashi no otto desu. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu.Oh, this is my husband. Nice to meet you.
- 改めて、こちらは私の夫です。Aratamete, kochira wa watashi no otto desu.Once again, this is my husband.
Example conversation
Misaki is introducing her husband to her colleague, Hiroto.
- 美咲 Misaki大翔さん、こちらは私の夫です。Hiroto-san, kochira wa watashi no otto desu.Hiroto, this is my husband.
- 大翔 Hirotoはじめまして。よろしくお願いします。Hajimemashite. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu.Nice to meet you. Pleased to meet you.
- 美咲 Misaki夫もあなたの話を聞いていました。Otto mo anata no hanashi o kiite imashita.My husband has heard a lot about you.
- 大翔 Hiroto本当ですか？嬉しいです。Hontō desu ka? Ureshii desu.Really? I'm happy to hear that.
