Japanese Conversation · Level 134
61 words
Japanese word
姑
Pronunciation
Romajishūtome
Meaning
- nounmother-in-law
Example
私の姑は料理が上手です。watashi no shūtome wa ryō ri ga jō zu de su
My mother-in-law is good at cooking.
More examples
週末に姑の家を訪ねます。shū matsu ni shūtome no ie o tazu ne ma su
I visit my mother-in-law's house on weekends.
Core concept
Refers to the mother of a husband or wife as a member of the family formed through marriage.
Common phrases
姑と話すshūtome to hana su
speak with one's mother-in-law
姑に会うshūtome ni a u
meet one's mother-in-law
Similar words
義母gibo: The mother of one's husband or wife, expressed in a formal or neutral term.
Definition in Japanese
結婚相手の母親。特に、夫の母親。kek kon ai te no haha oya toku ni otto no haha oya
Word origin
The native Japanese word 姑 (shūtome) combines しゅうと (shūto, "parent-in-law") with め (me, "woman"), distinguishing a female in-law from a male one.
Usage tips
- In Japanese, 姑 (shūtome) often points to the husband's mother in traditional family contexts, while mother-in-law in English covers either spouse's mother.