1.
wife (informal, used by men)
An informal word for one's own wife, typically used by middle-aged and older men. It carries a casual, familiar tone and is used when referring to one's wife to others in relaxed conversation.
女房に叱られた。
I got scolded by my wife.
うちの女房は料理が上手だ。
My wife is a good cook.
長年連れ添った女房に先立たれて、彼はすっかり元気をなくした。
Having been predeceased by the wife who had been with him for so many years, he completely lost his spirits.
USAGE:
女房 is used by men to refer to their own wife in casual speech. It has a slightly old-fashioned and down-to-earth feel. Younger men tend to prefer 妻 or 嫁. It is not used to refer to someone else's wife (use 奥さん instead).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- うちの女房: my wife (casual)
- 女房役: a supportive partner/right-hand person
- 恐妻家: henpecked husband (related concept)
SIMILAR WORDS:
妻 is the neutral, standard term. 嫁 is colloquial and common among younger speakers. 家内 is polite but somewhat dated. 女房 has the most casual, unpretentious tone among these.
HISTORICAL NOTE:
Originally referred to ladies-in-waiting at the imperial court (女房 literally means "woman's room/quarters"). The meaning shifted to "wife" during the Edo period.
Related Words
Synonym:
妻 (neutral)