qiánqī: 前妻 - Ex-wife, Former Wife

• Keywords: 前妻, qiánqī, ex-wife in Chinese, former wife Chinese, how to say ex-wife in Mandarin, Chinese divorce terms, 前夫, predecessor wife, Chinese family vocabulary, qián fū, líhūn
• Summary: Learn how to say “ex-wife” in Mandarin Chinese with the term 前妻 (qiánqī). This comprehensive guide breaks down the characters, explores the cultural context of divorce in China, and provides numerous practical example sentences. Understand the difference between 前妻 (ex-wife) and 亡妻 (deceased wife) to avoid common mistakes and navigate conversations about relationships and family in modern China.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): qiánqī
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: N/A
• Concise Definition: A man's former wife; an ex-wife.
• In a Nutshell: 前妻 (qiánqī) is the standard and most direct way to say “ex-wife” in Chinese. It's a neutral compound word formed by “前 (qián),” meaning “former” or “previous,” and “妻 (qī),” meaning “wife.” The term is used in all contexts, from casual conversation to legal documents, to refer to a woman to whom a man was previously married.

• 前 (qián): This character's primary meaning is “front,” “before,” or “previous.” Think of it in terms of time; what came “before” is in the past. It's used in words like “以前 (yǐqián)” (before) and “前面 (qiánmiàn)” (in front).
• 妻 (qī): This character simply means “wife.” It's a formal and written character often combined with “子 (zi)” to make the more common spoken word “妻子 (qīzi).”

When combined, 前 (qián) + 妻 (qī) literally translates to “previous wife,” a straightforward and logical construction.

While 前妻 (qiánqī) has a direct one-to-one translation with the English “ex-wife,” the cultural context surrounding it can be different. Traditionally, divorce in Chinese culture was highly stigmatized, viewed as a failure to maintain family harmony and a cause of “losing face” (丢面子 - diū miànzi) for everyone involved. Among older generations or in more rural areas, discussing one's 前妻 might still be a sensitive topic, handled with discretion. However, in modern, urban China, divorce rates have risen and the social stigma has significantly lessened. For younger generations, discussing a 前妻 is often as open and straightforward as it is in the West. The term itself is neutral; any negative or positive connotation comes from the speaker's tone and the context of the conversation. The key difference from Western culture is the lingering influence of “face” (面子 - miànzi), which might lead people to avoid bringing up the topic unless it's necessary, so as not to cause potential embarrassment.

前妻 (qiánqī) is a universally understood and used term.

• Neutral Reference: It's the default term for referring to a man's former spouse. It carries no inherent judgment.
• Formality: The term is suitable for all levels of formality. It can be used when talking to friends, family, or in official settings like a courtroom or when filling out paperwork.
• Emotional Tone: The feeling associated with the word is entirely dependent on the context. One could say “我的前妻 (wǒ de qiánqī)” with anger, sadness, fondness, or complete neutrality.

• Example 1:
  • 他和他的前妻还有一个女儿。
  • Pinyin: Tā hé tā de qiánqī hái yǒu yí ge nǚ'ér.
  • English: He and his ex-wife also have a daughter.
  • Analysis: A simple, neutral statement of fact, common in explaining family situations.
• Example 2:
  • 虽然我们离婚了，但我跟前妻的关系还不错。
  • Pinyin: Suīrán wǒmen líhūn le, dàn wǒ gēn qiánqī de guānxì hái búcuò.
  • English: Although we divorced, my relationship with my ex-wife is still pretty good.
  • Analysis: This sentence shows how 前妻 can be used in a positive or amicable context.
• Example 3:
  • 他每个月都要给他前妻抚养费。
  • Pinyin: Tā měi ge yuè dōu yào gěi tā qiánqī fǔyǎngfèi.
  • English: He has to give his ex-wife child support every month.
  • Analysis: Demonstrates a common, practical context related to the legal and financial aftermath of a divorce.
• Example 4:
  • 这是我前妻留下的东西，你帮我处理掉吧。
  • Pinyin: Zhè shì wǒ qiánqī liúxià de dōngxi, nǐ bāng wǒ chǔlǐ diào ba.
  • English: This is stuff my ex-wife left behind, can you help me get rid of it?
  • Analysis: The tone here is likely one of frustration or a desire to move on.
• Example 5:
  • 他的现任妻子很介意他提起他的前妻。
  • Pinyin: Tā de xiànrèn qīzi hěn jièyì tā tíqǐ tā de qiánqī.
  • English: His current wife really minds it when he brings up his ex-wife.
  • Analysis: This example highlights the complex family dynamics that can arise after remarriage.
• Example 6:
  • 听说他前妻再婚了，嫁给了一个律师。
  • Pinyin: Tīngshuō tā qiánqī zàihūn le, jià gěi le yí ge lǜshī.
  • English: I heard his ex-wife remarried, she married a lawyer.
  • Analysis: A typical sentence you might hear in gossip or when catching up on news about mutual acquaintances.
• Example 7:
  • 我从来没见过我爸爸的前妻。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ cónglái méi jiàn guò wǒ bàba de qiánqī.
  • English: I have never met my dad's ex-wife.
  • Analysis: Used from the perspective of a child from a subsequent marriage.
• Example 8:
  • 在法律上，他对前妻已经没有任何义务了。
  • Pinyin: Zài fǎlǜ shàng, tā duì qiánqī yǐjīng méiyǒu rènhé yìwù le.
  • English: Legally speaking, he no longer has any obligations to his ex-wife.
  • Analysis: Shows the use of the term in a formal, legal context.
• Example 9:
  • 每次一喝酒，他就会开始抱怨他的前妻。
  • Pinyin: Měi cì yì hējiǔ, tā jiù huì kāishǐ bàoyuàn tā de qiánqī.
  • English: Every time he drinks, he starts complaining about his ex-wife.
  • Analysis: This shows the term being used in a clearly negative and emotional context.
• Example 10:
  • 作为一个成功的商人，他感谢前妻早期的支持。
  • Pinyin: Zuòwéi yí ge chénggōng de shāngrén, tā gǎnxiè qiánqī zǎoqī de zhīchí.
  • English: As a successful businessman, he is grateful for his ex-wife's early support.
  • Analysis: An example of acknowledging a past relationship with maturity and gratitude.

• “Ex-wife” vs. “Deceased Wife”: This is the most critical mistake to avoid. 前妻 (qiánqī) specifically means a wife from a marriage that ended in divorce. A wife who has passed away is called a 亡妻 (wángqī) or 故妻 (gùqī). Confusing these terms is a major social faux pas and can be deeply offensive.
  • Incorrect: 他很想念他的前妻，她去年去世了。(Tā hěn xiǎngniàn tā de qiánqī, tā qùnián qùshì le.) → This implies he misses his divorced wife, who also happened to pass away.
  • Correct: 他很想念他的亡妻，她去年去世了。(Tā hěn xiǎngniàn tā de wángqī, tā qùnián qùshì le.) → This correctly means he misses his deceased wife.
• “Ex-wife” vs. “Ex-girlfriend”: A 前妻 (qiánqī) was a legally married spouse. A former girlfriend is a 前女友 (qián nǚyǒu). Do not use 前妻 for a partner you were not married to.

• 前夫 (qiánfū) - Ex-husband. The direct male counterpart to 前妻.
• 离婚 (líhūn) - To divorce; the act of divorce. This is the event that creates a 前妻.
• 妻子 (qīzi) - Wife. The word for a current wife.
• 前任 (qiánrèn) - A general, colloquial term for an “ex” (boyfriend or girlfriend). It's less formal than 前妻 and not used for a former spouse.
• 前女友 (qián nǚyǒu) - Ex-girlfriend. Specifically refers to a former, unmarried partner.
• 再婚 (zàihūn) - To remarry. An action taken after a divorce.
• 亡妻 (wángqī) - Deceased wife. An important term to distinguish from 前妻.
• 抚养费 (fǔyǎng fèi) - Child support/alimony. A frequent topic related to a 前妻.
• 单亲家庭 (dānqīn jiātíng) - Single-parent family. A common result of divorce.
• 面子 (miànzi) - “Face”; social dignity. The cultural concept that can make divorce a sensitive subject.