夫(おっと)

おっと
noun
husband
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":

  • 夫(おっと): neutral, objective (this word)
  • 主人(しゅじん): traditional/humble (literally "master")
  • 旦那(だんな): casual, colloquial
  • ご主人(しゅじん): polite term for someone else's 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)
basic
Added 2026.1.7 21:06 · Revised 2026.4.4 19:40
00500/00982_otto