Meaning and Usage
"丈夫" (zhàngfu) primarily means "husband" in everyday Mandarin. It refers specifically to a married man in relation to his wife. Beyond this, it can also imply masculine qualities or manliness in a broader sense, though this usage is less common in daily conversation.
Common Collocations
- 丈夫和妻子 (husband and wife): used to talk about married couples and their relationship.
- 负责的丈夫 (responsible husband): emphasizes the husband's role and character.
- 支持丈夫 (support one's husband): common in contexts discussing family or work support.
Usage Notes
When using "丈夫," it is typically in formal or neutral contexts referring to one's spouse. In casual speech, people might also say "老公" (lǎogōng) for husband. The word "丈夫" can also appear in literary or formal writing to highlight the role or qualities of a husband.
Common Confusion
Do not confuse "丈夫" with "男子" (nánzǐ), which means "man" in general without the marital implication. "丈夫" always implies a marital relationship unless used metaphorically to describe masculinity.
Character Insights
The characters "丈" and "夫" both relate to manhood and husbandry. "丈" can mean "gentleman" or "man," and "夫" means "man" or "husband." Together, they form the compound "丈夫," emphasizing the role of a man as a husband.