Ways to say it
| Mandarin | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 老婆 | lǎopo | colloquial |
| 妻子 | qīzi | |
| 太太 | tàitai | polite |
| 內人 / 内人 | nèirén | humble, literary |
| 愛人 / 爱人 | àirén | China |
All these terms refer to a female partner in a marriage, though their social application varies significantly.
Which one should you use?
The term 妻子 is the standard, formal term for wife used in written or official contexts. In contrast, 老婆 is a highly colloquial and affectionate term used in daily speech. While 老婆 is very common, it is considered too informal for use in professional or highly formal social settings. 太太 is a polite way to refer to someone else's wife, often functioning like the English "Mrs." or "Madam". 爱人 is a neutral term for a spouse in Mainland China and does not imply an extramarital affair like the English word "lover" might. Finally, 内人 is a literary and archaic term used to show humility when speaking of one's own spouse.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For formal or written contexts, use 妻子. For polite social situations when referring to another person's wife, use 太太. In casual, affectionate daily speech, use 老婆. For a humble, literary tone when discussing your own wife, you may use 内人.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mainland China, 爱人 is a common term for a spouse. In northern China, particularly around Beijing and Tianjin, the informal term 媳妇 is often used for wife.
How do you pronounce it?
lǎopo
When do people say it?
In Mainland China, the term 爱人 is used neutrally to mean a spouse (either a husband or a wife), which differs from the English connotation of the word "lover".
Did you know?
- While 爱人 means 'spouse' in Mainland China, using it in Taiwan or Hong Kong may be interpreted as 'lover' in a romantic or extramarital sense.
- The word 内人 literally translates to 'inside person', reflecting an ancient social structure where the husband was the 'outside' person and the wife managed the home.
- The specific meaning of 爱人 as 'spouse' was influenced by the Japanese use of the term to bridge the gap between 'love' and 'partner'.
Examples in context
- 我妻子在家。My wife is at home.This sentence shows the use of 妻子.Tatoeba #10913658 by xjjAstrus, translation #11987152 by timmartin
- 他老婆很有才。His wife is quite a talented woman.This sentence demonstrates how to use the colloquial 老婆.Tatoeba #1694979 by sadhen, translation #285632 by CK
- 我爱我的妻子。I love my wife.This sentence uses 妻子.Tatoeba #4759974 by ryanwoo, translation #436791 by lukaszpp
- 你好！这位是我的老婆。Hello! This is my wife.
- 我的媳妇很会做饭。My wife is very good at cooking.
- 155 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Junjie is introducing a photo to Yuting.
- 俊杰 Junjie这是我老婆，她很漂亮。Zhè shì wǒ lǎopó, tā hěn piàoliang.This is my wife, she is very beautiful.
- 雨婷 Yuting她看起来很温柔。Tā kàn qǐlái hěn wēnróu.She looks very gentle.
- 俊杰 Junjie是的，我老婆性格很好。Shì de, wǒ lǎopó xìnggé hěn hǎo.Yes, my wife has a great personality.
- 雨婷 Yuting你们真是天生一对。Nǐmen zhēnshì tiānshēng yīduì.You two are truly a match made in heaven.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “wife” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 愛人, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
