qīzi: 妻子 - Wife

Keywords: 妻子, qīzi, wife in Chinese, how to say wife in Chinese, Chinese word for wife, qizi meaning, formal word for wife, 老婆 (lǎopo), 太太 (tàitai), 夫人 (fūrén), 丈夫 (zhàngfu)

Summary: Learn the meaning and use of 妻子 (qīzi), the standard and formal Chinese word for “wife”. This comprehensive guide covers its cultural significance, how it differs from informal terms like `老婆 (lǎopo)`, and provides practical example sentences. Discover when to use `妻子` to sound respectful and appropriate in modern China.

Pinyin (with tone marks): qīzi (qī zǐ)

Part of Speech: Noun

HSK Level: HSK 2

Concise Definition: The formal and standard term for “wife”.

In a Nutshell: `妻子` is the default, correct, and somewhat formal way to say “wife” in Mandarin Chinese. Think of it as the word you would write on a legal document or use in a formal introduction. While perfectly correct in speech, it can sometimes sound a bit stiff or distant in very casual conversations, where other words might be preferred. It carries a tone of respect and acknowledges the official marital status.

妻 (qī): This character is the core of the word. Historically, it's a pictograph of a woman (女) with her hand near a broom, symbolizing the traditional role of managing household affairs. In modern Chinese, it simply means “wife”.

子 (zǐ): This character originally meant “child” or “son”. However, in many modern Chinese words, `子` acts as a noun suffix. It doesn't add the meaning of “child” here; it simply makes the single-character `妻` into a more common two-syllable word, which is a standard feature of modern Mandarin.

Combined Meaning: The character `妻` provides the core meaning of “wife,” and the suffix `子` makes it a complete, standard noun in modern Chinese.

In Chinese culture, marriage is a significant social and legal institution, and the term `妻子` reflects this official status. It's the term used in law, on official forms, and in contexts that emphasize the legitimacy of the marital bond.

Comparison to Western Culture: In English, the word “wife” is used in almost every context, from a casual chat with friends (“My wife and I went to the movies”) to a formal speech (“I'd like to thank my wife for her support”). Chinese, however, has a richer vocabulary to reflect different levels of formality and intimacy.

`妻子 (qīzi)` is the neutral, formal standard, much like the general use of “wife” in English. However, the existence of terms like `老婆 (lǎopo)` (more intimate, like “my old lady” but much more common and positive) and `太太 (tàitai)` (respectful, like “Mrs.”) means that choosing `妻子` is a deliberate act of using a more formal register. Using it implies a degree of respectful distance, which is appropriate when talking to strangers or in professional settings, but might feel less intimate between close friends.

`妻子` vs. `太太`: While both can be used to refer to another man's wife, `太太 (tàitai)` often implies a slightly higher social standing and is used like “Mrs.”. For example, you might refer to your boss's wife as “王太太” (Mrs. Wang). `妻子` is more neutral and just states the relationship. You'd say “王先生的妻子” (Mr. Wang's wife).

老婆 (lǎopo) - The most common informal and affectionate term for “wife,” used frequently in daily conversation. Akin to “wifey” but without any negative connotation.

太太 (tàitai) - A respectful term for “wife,” often used for another person's wife (“Mrs.”) or to imply a certain social status.

夫人 (fūrén) - A highly formal term for “wife,” typically reserved for the wives of dignitaries or very prominent men (e.g., “First Lady”).

丈夫 (zhàngfu) - The direct formal counterpart to `妻子`; the standard word for “husband.”

老公 (lǎogōng) - The informal and affectionate counterpart to `老婆`; the most common word for “husband” in casual speech.

爱人 (àirén) - A term meaning “spouse” (husband or wife), literally “lover.” Common among the older generation or in very formal/official contexts. Can be ambiguous to learners.

配偶 (pèi'ǒu) - The legal, technical, and gender-neutral term for “spouse.” You will see this on official forms.

夫妻 (fūqī) - The word for “a married couple” or “husband and wife” as a single unit.