かみさん

かみさん
noun
wife (informal)
informalspokenfamilyperson
1. wife (informal)
An informal, familiar term for one's wife or someone else's wife. Primarily used by men in casual conversation.
かみさん()いてみる
I'll ask my wife.
My wife's home cooking is the best.
My wife is scary when she's angry, so I'd better get home early.

Usage

Used mainly by middle-aged and older men to refer to their own wife in casual settings. It has a down-to-earth, familiar tone. Not appropriate in formal situations, where (つま) or 家内(かない) would be used instead.

The word comes from (かみ)さん, originally a respectful term for a woman of higher status or the lady of the house.

Register

Informal and spoken. Common among working-class and older male speakers. Younger men tend to prefer (おく)さん (for others' wives) or (つま) (for their own).