Meaning and Usage
"太太" (tàitai) primarily means "wife" or "married woman" in everyday Mandarin. It is a polite and common way to refer to someone's wife, often used in both formal and informal contexts.
Common Contexts
You will often hear "太太" used when introducing one's spouse, referring to a married woman respectfully, or addressing a woman in a polite manner, especially in social or family settings.
Collocations and Patterns
- "我的太太" (wǒ de tàitai): my wife
- "王太太" (Wáng tàitai): Mrs. Wang (used with surnames to politely address or refer to a married woman)
- "对太太好" (duì tàitai hǎo): to be good to one's wife
Nuances
While "太太" literally means "wife," it can also be used as a respectful form of address for a married woman, similar to "Mrs." in English. It is less formal than "夫人" (fūrén) but more formal than simply using a woman's name. Avoid confusing it with "老太太" (lǎotàitai), which means "old lady" or "elderly woman."
Tone and Register
"太太" is neutral and polite, suitable for everyday conversation and formal introductions. It is not used to address a woman directly unless combined with a surname (e.g., "李太太").