Japanese word

配偶者

Pronunciation

Romajihaigūsha

Meaning

  • nounspouse

Example

配偶者と旅行を計画しています。hai gū sha to ryo kō o kei kaku shi te i ma su

I am planning a trip with my spouse.

Illustration for 配偶者 (spouse)

More examples

困ったときは配偶者に相談します。koma tta to ki wa hai gū sha ni sō dan shi ma su

I consult my spouse when I have a problem.

Core concept

Describes the person joined to another through marriage, without specifying whether that person is a husband or wife.

Common phrases

  • 配偶者と暮らすhai gū sha to ku ra su

    live with one's spouse

  • 配偶者を扶養するhai gū sha o fu yō su ru

    support one's spouse financially

  • 配偶者に相談するhai gū sha ni sō dan su ru

    consult one's spouse

Similar words

伴侶hanryo: A person joined to another in marriage and regarded as a lifelong companion.
連れ合いtsureai: A husband or wife regarded as a lifelong companion in marriage.
夫otto: A man who is married to another person.
妻tsuma: A woman who is married to another person.

Definition in Japanese

婚姻関係にある相手。kon in kan kei ni a ru ai te

Word origin

配偶者 (haigūsha) combines 配 (hai, "match or assign"), 偶 (gū, "pair"), and 者 (sha, "person"), forming a term for a person in a married pair.

Usage tips

  • In English, spouse is common in both everyday speech and official writing, but it sounds more formal than husband or wife in casual conversation.

Other meanings

  • partnernoun
  • husbandnoun
  • wifenoun

Word lists with this word