家内(かない)

家内(かない) literally means 'inside the house' and is a humble term (謙譲語(けんじょうご)) traditionally used by husbands to refer to their own wives when speaking to others.

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Considered somewhat old-fashioned by younger speakers. Like 主人(しゅじん), it can imply traditional gender roles. Modern speakers often prefer 妻(つま) as a more neutral alternative.

Related words

• 妻(つま): wife (neutral, modern preferred term)
• 奥(おく)さん: someone else's wife (respectful)
• 女房(にょうぼう): wife (casual, male speech)
• 嫁(よめ): wife (informal, regional)

Usage

家内(かない) is only used to refer to one's own wife. For someone else's wife, use 奥(おく)さん or 奥様(おくさま). Still commonly heard among older men and in formal business introductions.