1.
wife (polite), madam, Mrs.
A polite and respectful way to refer to someone else's wife. Can also be used as a term of address for a married woman. Not used for one's own wife.
奥様はお元気ですか。
Is your wife well?
社長の奥様にご挨拶した。
I greeted the company president's wife.
奥様、こちらにどうぞ。
Madam, this way please.
奥様 is the polite/honorific form used when referring to someone else's wife or addressing a married woman respectfully.
FORMS:
- 奥様: polite/honorific (most respectful)
- 奥さん: polite but less formal (everyday use)
- 奥方: very formal, literary
IMPORTANT:
奥様 and 奥さん are used only for someone else's wife, never for one's own. To refer to one's own wife, use 妻 (neutral) or 家内 (traditional).
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 妻: wife (neutral, used for one's own wife)
- 家内: my wife (humble, traditional)
- 嫁: wife, bride (casual/regional)