配偶者(はいぐうしゃ)

Writing

• 配(はい) - distribute, match
• 偶(ぐう) - pair, couple
• 者(しゃ) - person

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配偶者(はいぐうしゃ) is primarily used in:

• 公式(こうしき)書類(しょるい) - official documents
• 法律(ほうりつ) - legal contexts
• 税金(ぜいきん) - tax matters
• ビザ申請(しんせい) - visa applications

Not typically used in casual conversation.

Compounds

• 配偶者(はいぐうしゃ)控除(こうじょ) - spouse tax deduction
• 配偶者(はいぐうしゃ)ビザ - spouse visa
• 配偶者(はいぐうしゃ)手当(てあて) - spouse allowance

SIMILAR WORDS (everyday alternatives):

• 夫(おっと)/妻(つま) - husband/wife
• 旦那(だんな)/奥(おく)さん - husband/wife (casual; 奥(おく)さん is usually someone else's wife)
• 主人(しゅじん)/家内(かない) - husband/wife (humble)
• パートナー - partner

USAGE (gender-neutral):
配偶者(はいぐうしゃ) is useful as a gender-neutral term that refers to either husband or wife without specifying.