Meaning and Usage
The word 夫妻 (fūqī) specifically refers to a married couple, meaning husband and wife together. It is a neutral, formal term used in both spoken and written Chinese.
Common Contexts
You will often see 夫妻 used when talking about family relationships, social roles, or describing couples in everyday life. It emphasizes the partnership between the two individuals.
Collocations and Patterns
- 夫妻关系 (fūqī guānxi): marital relationship, used when discussing dynamics between husband and wife.
- 夫妻俩 (fūqī liǎ): the couple, often used informally to refer to both spouses together.
- 夫妻生活 (fūqī shēnghuó): married life, referring to the life shared by husband and wife.
Usage Notes
夫妻 is more formal than just saying 老公 (husband) or 老婆 (wife). It always refers to the pair together, never just one person. Avoid confusing it with 家庭 (family) which is broader. When speaking about one spouse, use 夫 (husband) or 妻 (wife) individually.
Common Confusion
Sometimes learners confuse 夫妻 with 夫妇 (fūfù), which also means married couple. 夫妻 is slightly more formal and often used in legal or official contexts, while 夫妇 is more common in daily speech.