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.
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.
Etymology
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.