夫(おっと)

おっと
noun
husband
family
See also: 妻(つま) (wife)
1. husband
A neutral term for husband. This is the most straightforward word for referring to one's spouse without the hierarchical implications of 主人(しゅじん).
夫(おっと)は今(いま)会社(かいしゃ)です。
My husband is at work now.
夫(おっと)と一緒(いっしょ)に買(か)い物(もの)しました。
I went shopping with my husband.
夫(おっと)は本(ほん)を読(よ)むのが好(す)きです。
My husband likes reading books.
夫(おっと)は休(やす)みの日(ひ)に子供(こども)と遊(あそ)んでくれます。
My husband plays with the children on his days off.
夫(おっと)とは学生(がくせい)の時(とき)に知(し)り合(あ)いました。もう二十(にじゅう)年(ねん)になります。
I met my husband when we were students. It's been twenty years now.

夫(おっと) is a neutral, objective term for "husband." It is increasingly preferred by modern Japanese speakers who find 主人(しゅじん) too hierarchical.

Usage

Used when referring to one's own husband in neutral or formal contexts. Common in official documents, news, and written Japanese. A woman speaking to close friends may use 旦那(だんな) instead.

WORDS FOR "HUSBAND":

Pair

The female equivalent is 妻(つま) (wife, neutral).

Related Words

Synonym: 主人(しゅじん) (humble)
Synonym: 旦那(だんな) (casual)
Related: ご主人(しゅじん) ((your/her) husband)
basic
Added 2026.1.7 21:06 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:00
00500/00982_otto