Ways to say it
| Latin | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| uxor | [ˈʊk.sɔr] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈuk.sor] (narrow) |
feminine |
| matrona | [maːˈtroː.na] (Classical Latin, narrow) [maˈtrɔː.na] (narrow) |
|
| nupta | [ˈnuːp.ta] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈnʊp.ta] (Classical Latin, narrow) |
feminine |
| femina | [ˈfeː.mɪ.na] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈfɛː.mi.na] (narrow) |
feminine |
| mulier | [ˈmʊ.li.ɛr] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈmuː.li.er] (narrow) |
feminine |
| marita | [maˈriː.ta] (Classical Latin, narrow) [maˈriː.ta] (narrow) |
feminine |
| coniunx | [ˈkɔn.juːŋks] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈkɔn.juŋks] (narrow) |
feminine |
The term for a female partner in a marriage varies depending on whether you are describing her general identity, her social status or her role in a specific ceremony.
Which one should you use?
uxor is the standard, most common term for a wife. In contrast, nupta refers specifically to a bride or a woman in the context of a wedding. While femina means woman in a general sense and is not specific to marital status, matrona refers to a respectable, dignified married woman or a woman of high social standing. If you need a gender-neutral term for a spouse that applies to both a husband and a wife, use coniunx. The form marita is an obsolete and poetic way to say wife.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular genitive form (meaning 'of the wife') of uxor is uxoris, and the plural genitive form (meaning 'of the wives') is uxorum.
Did you know?
- Despite its common use, the origin of the word uxor remains a mystery. Linguists have tried to link it to Armenian and Baltic languages, but these theories are not widely accepted.
Examples in context
- Ea uxor mea est.She's my wife.This sentence shows how to use uxor to identify a wife.Tatoeba #1325889 by alexmarcelo, translation #1325177 by Scott
- Non es uxor mea.You're not my wife.This sentence uses uxor in a negative statement about a wife.Tatoeba #10738881 by carlosalberto, translation #10729977 by ddnktr
- Uxor tua ubi est?Where is your wife?This sentence uses uxor to ask a question about the location of a wife.Tatoeba #6966511 by Hans07, translation #3071374 by sharptoothed
- Marcus et uxor eius sunt felices.Marcus and his wife are happy.
- Caius semper amavit uxorem suam, suam uxorculam carissimam.Caius always loved his wife, his dearest little wife.
- 211 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gaius is introducing Aurelia to a friend.
- GaiusHaec est uxor mea, Aurelia.This is my wife, Aurelia.
- AureliaSalve! Libenter te video.Hello! It is a pleasure to see you.
- GaiusUxor mea optima est.My wife is the best.
- AureliaIta videtur, Gai.So it seems, Gaius.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “wife” translations and entries uxor, matrona, nupta, femina, mulier, marita, coniunx, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries femina, mulier, nupta, uxor, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
