Meaning and Usage
"妻子" specifically means "wife" in Mandarin Chinese. It is a formal and common way to refer to one's married female partner. Although the character "子" can mean "child," in this compound it does not imply children but is part of the word for wife.
Common Contexts
You will often hear "妻子" in conversations about family, relationships, or when describing someone's spouse in a respectful manner. It is used in both spoken and written Chinese.
Collocations and Patterns
- "妻子和孩子" (wife and children): a common phrase to refer to one's immediate family.
- "他的妻子" (his wife): possessive form to talk about someone's wife.
- "妻子是家庭的重要成员" (the wife is an important family member): used to emphasize the role of the wife in family.
Usage Tips
"妻子" is more formal than just "老婆" (lǎopó), which is a more casual and affectionate term for wife. Avoid confusing "妻子" with "孩子" (children) despite the character "子" appearing in both. When referring to a wife in everyday conversation, "妻子" is appropriate in polite or neutral contexts.