1.
spouse, marriage partner
A gender-neutral term for one's husband or wife, often used when speaking about one's own spouse or someone else's.
連れ合いと旅行に行ってきた。
I went on a trip with my spouse.
長年の連れ合いを亡くした。
They lost their spouse of many years.
お連れ合いはお元気ですか。
How is your spouse doing?
ETYMOLOGY: From 連れ合う 'to accompany each other.' Literally 'companion.'
REGISTER: Slightly formal and respectful. Often used when referring to someone else's spouse with お連れ合い.
NUANCE: A warm, traditional term that emphasizes the companionship aspect of marriage. Gender-neutral, making it useful when the speaker doesn't want to specify husband or wife.
CONTRAST WITH OTHER TERMS:
- 夫 / 妻 - formal for own spouse (documents, etc.)
- 旦那 / 奥さん - common colloquial terms
- 主人 / 家内 - traditional, becoming less common
- パートナー - modern, gender-neutral loanword