妻子(さいし)

Usage

A formal or literary compound. The 妻(さい) reading of 妻(つま) is used only in compounds. This word inherently refers to a man's family; it does not have a female equivalent in common use.

Common collocations

• 妻子(さいし)を養(やしな)う: to support one's wife and children
• 妻子(さいし)を残(のこ)して: leaving one's family behind
• 妻子(さいし)ある身(み): a man with a family
• 妻子(さいし)を持(も)つ: to have a wife and children

Pronunciation

Read as さいし, not つまこ. The on'yomi compound reading is the standard form.