yuánpèi: 原配 - First Wife, Original Spouse

Keywords: yuanpei, 原配, first wife in Chinese, original spouse, Chinese marriage, xiaosan, 正室, 发妻, legal wife, primary wife, infidelity in China, Chinese cultural terms

Summary: In Chinese, 原配 (yuánpèi) means the first and original spouse, most often referring to the legal wife. This term goes beyond a simple chronological description; it is deeply rooted in Chinese culture and carries strong connotations of legitimacy, moral standing, and history within a marriage. It is most frequently used in the context of marital infidelity, where the 原配 is seen as the wronged party in contrast to a third party, or 小三 (xiǎo sān). Understanding 原配 is key to grasping nuances in Chinese social dramas, news, and discussions about relationships.

Pinyin (with tone marks): yuán pèi

Part of Speech: Noun

HSK Level: N/A

Concise Definition: The first and legally married spouse, especially when contrasted with a later partner or in the context of infidelity.

In a Nutshell: Think of “原配” not just as “first wife,” but as “the *original* and *rightful* spouse.” The term is a powerful social descriptor that establishes a person's primary and legitimate role in a marriage. It’s most often invoked when a marriage is threatened by an affair, automatically casting the `原配` as the sympathetic figure with the moral high ground.

原 (yuán): This character means “original,” “primary,” “source,” or “raw.” It's the same character in `原来 (yuánlái)`, meaning “originally,” and `原因 (yuányīn)`, meaning “reason” or “cause.”

配 (pèi): This character means “to match,” “to pair,” or “to be a spouse.” It's found in words like `配偶 (pèi'ǒu)`, the formal term for “spouse,” and `搭配 (dāpèi)`, meaning “to pair up” or “to match” (like clothes).

Together, 原配 (yuánpèi) literally translates to “original match” or “primary spouse,” clearly conveying the concept of being the first and legitimate partner in a marriage.

Historically, in pre-modern China where polygamy (specifically concubinage) was practiced by the wealthy, the 原配 (or the more formal `正室 zhèngshì`) was the principal wife. She held the highest status among all the partners, managed the household, and her children were the primary heirs. Concubines (`妾 qiè`) had a much lower legal and social standing.

In modern, monogamous China, the term has evolved but retained its sense of primacy and legitimacy. Its most common use today is in the context of extramarital affairs. When a man cheats, his wife is referred to as the 原配 to emphasize her legal and moral status against the “third person,” the 小三 (xiǎo sān). The word immediately frames the conflict as a story of a rightful wife defending her family against an intruder.

Comparison to Western Culture: The English term “first wife” is a neutral, chronological descriptor, usually referring to an ex-wife after a divorce (“He is with his second wife now; his first wife lives in California.”). In contrast, 原配 is emotionally and morally charged. It's used to describe the *current* wife whose position is threatened, not typically a divorced one (for whom `前妻 qiánqī` or “ex-wife” is used). Using 原配 implies a narrative of loyalty, shared history, and often, betrayal.

Media and Social Gossip: The term 原配 is extremely common in TV dramas (especially family dramas), celebrity news, and social media discussions about relationships and infidelity. Headlines often read like “原配当街怒打小三” (“Original Wife Angrily Hits the Mistress on the Street”).

Connotation: The term is almost never neutral. It carries a heavy connotation of sympathy for the wife and disapproval of the husband's infidelity. It highlights the wife's long-term investment in the marriage (“She was with him when he had nothing!”).

Social Conversation: People use it in conversation to describe a marital crisis. For example, “听说他要为了那个年轻的女孩跟他原配离婚” (“I heard he wants to divorce his original wife for that young girl”). It immediately clarifies who is who in the social drama.

“False Friend” with “First Wife”: Do not assume `原配` is a direct equivalent of the English “first wife.” While it can mean that chronologically, its primary function in modern Chinese is to denote the *current, legitimate wife* in a situation of marital conflict. An English speaker might say “My dad's first wife was named Susan,” referring to a woman he divorced long ago. You would not use `原配` in that context; you'd use `前妻`.

小三 (xiǎo sān) - The “third person” or mistress in an affair. The direct social antagonist of the `原配`.

前妻 (qiánqī) - Ex-wife. A neutral term used after a divorce. The male equivalent is `前夫 (qiánfū)`.

出轨 (chūguǐ) - Literally “to go off the rails.” The common verb for having an extramarital affair, to cheat.

发妻 (fàqī) - A literary and highly respectful term for the wife who has been with a man since he was poor and unknown. It carries an even stronger sense of shared hardship and loyalty than `原配`.

正室 (zhèngshì) - “Main house.” A more formal or historical term for the legal, primary wife, very similar in meaning to `原配`.

第三者 (dìsānzhě) - “The third party.” A more formal and gender-neutral term for the person with whom someone is having an affair.

夫妻 (fūqī) - Husband and wife; a married couple. The standard, neutral term for a marital pair.

配偶 (pèi'ǒu) - Spouse. A formal, legal, and gender-neutral term used in documents.

婚姻 (hūnyīn) - Marriage; matrimony. The institution itself.