manželka
[ˈmanʒɛlka]feminine
The English word "wife" can be translated into Czech using manželka. Wiktionary also lists žena and choť.
Meaning: female partner in a marriage (noun)
Ways to say it
| Czech | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| manželka | [ˈmanʒɛlka] (narrow) | feminine |
| žena | [ˈʒɛna] (narrow) | feminine |
| choť | [ˈxoc] (narrow) | feminine |
These terms are used to refer to a female partner in a marriage.
Which one should you use?
manželka is the standard, most common way to say wife and specifically refers to the legal marital status. In contrast, choť is a highly formal, often bureaucratic or legalistic term for 'spouse' used in official documents.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of manželka is manželky. When žena is used to mean "wives," its plural form is žen.
Did you know?
- The root of the formal choť is linked to the verb 'chtít', meaning 'to want', implying a spouse is someone who was 'wanted' or 'desired'.
- The formal term choť is so archaic and stiff that using it in a casual setting, like a dinner party, would make you sound like a legal contract or a historical textbook.
- The formal term choť is gender-neutral in its root and can refer to either a husband or a wife in legal documents.
Examples in context
- Jsme muž a žena.We are husband and wife.This sentence shows the use of žena to mean wife in the context of a couple.Tatoeba #8275429 by aldar, translation #263263 by CK
- To je její žena?Is that her wife?This sentence demonstrates using žena to refer to a wife in a question.Tatoeba #11116601 by aldar, translation #11053974 by deniko
- Marie je má žena.Mary is my wife.This sentence shows the use of žena to mean wife in a simple statement.Tatoeba #4469528 by lipao, translation #4419624 by Hybrid
- Manželka Petra mi pomáhá s úklidem.Petra's wife helps me with cleaning.
- Barbora je moje manželka.Barbora is my wife.
- Moje žena vaří výborně.My wife cooks superbly.
- 86 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lukáš is introducing his spouse to a colleague.
- LucieKdo je ta žena vedle tebe?Who is that woman next to you?
- LukášTo je moje manželka, Lucie.This is my wife, Lucie.
- LucieTěší mě, Lucie.Nice to meet you, Lucie.
- LukášMoje manželka také ráda pozná vás.My wife would also like to meet you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “wife” translations and entries manželka, žena, choť, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries choť, manželka, žena, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
