ご主人

Let's learn how to use the word ご主人 (goshujin). It means "husband" but specifically refers to someone else's husband. This is an important distinction in Japanese, where politeness and respecting social hierarchies are often reflected in language.

§ Basic Usage

ご主人 is a respectful way to refer to another person's husband. You would use it when talking to someone about their husband, or when referring to someone's husband in their presence (but not when talking directly to the husband himself).

Japanese Word

ご主人 (goshujin)

Meaning

husband (someone else's)

CEFR Level

A2

§ Examples in sentences

Let's look at some practical examples to see ご主人 in action.

• 田中さんの (Tanaka-san no): Ms. Tanaka's
• ご主人は (goshujin wa): husband (topic particle)
• とても (totemo): very
• 親切です (shinsetsu desu): kind
• Hint: Ms. Tanaka's husband is very kind.

• あなたの (anata no): your
• ご主人は (goshujin wa): husband (topic particle)
• お元気ですか (ogenki desu ka): Are you well? (polite)
• Hint: How is your husband? / Is your husband doing well?

• 部長の (buchō no): department manager's
• ご主人は (goshujin wa): husband (topic particle)
• 海外出張中です (kaigai shutchō-chū desu): is on a business trip overseas
• Hint: The department manager's husband is on an overseas business trip.

§ Important Usage Notes

Japanese has different words for family members depending on whether you are referring to your own family or someone else's. This is a key concept in Japanese politeness, known as uchi-soto (inside-outside) distinctions.

• When talking about your own husband, you use:
• 夫 (otto): Standard, formal.
• 主人 (shujin): Also common, slightly less formal than 夫.
• 旦那 (danna): More casual, sometimes used by wives.
• When talking about someone else's husband, you almost always use ご主人 (goshujin).

Understanding these distinctions will make your Japanese sound much more natural and polite. Practice using ご主人 when talking about someone else's husband, and you'll be one step closer to sounding like a native speaker.

§ Understanding ご主人 (goshujin)

ご主人 (goshujin) is a common and polite way to refer to someone else's husband. It's generally safe to use in most situations when you're talking about a married man who isn't your own husband. Think of it as the Japanese equivalent of saying "her husband" or "your husband" in a respectful way. It's especially useful when you're speaking to the wife of the man you're referring to, or to someone else when discussing a third person's husband.

DEFINITION

husband (someone else's)

Let's look at an example of how ご主人 is used:

Meaning: Is Mrs. Tanaka's husband doing well?

§ Other words for husband and when to use them

Japanese has several words for "husband," and choosing the right one depends on who you're talking about and who you're talking to. Here's a breakdown of the most common alternatives to ご主人:

• 夫 (otto): This is the most common and neutral term for "my husband." You use this when you are referring to your own husband in a straightforward way. It's polite enough for most situations, including with friends, family, and even colleagues. It's not overly humble or overly formal.

Meaning: My husband is a doctor.

• 主人 (shujin): Similar to 夫 (otto), 主人 also means "my husband." However, it carries a slightly more traditional or humble nuance. It was historically used to emphasize the husband's position as the head of the household. While still used, especially by older generations or in more formal contexts, 夫 (otto) is generally more common and less loaded in modern Japanese. Some people might find 主人 a bit old-fashioned or even feel it implies a subordinate role for the wife.

Meaning: My husband is good at cooking. (Note: うちの is often used with 主人 to mean "my" or "our" in a familiar way.)

• 旦那 (danna): This term is often used informally to refer to "my husband" or "your husband." It can sometimes be used when talking about someone else's husband, especially in a more casual or friendly setting. However, it can also carry a slightly less respectful or sometimes even a bit familiar tone compared to ご主人. Be careful not to use it in very formal situations when referring to someone else's husband. When used by a wife, it can sound quite casual and familiar, almost like "the old man" or "my man" in English, but without the negative connotations.

Meaning: Is your husband doing well? (More casual than ご主人)

• 亭主 (teishu): This is an older, more traditional, and somewhat less common term for "husband." It used to be very formal and respectful, often implying the husband as the master of the house. In modern Japanese, it's rarely used by wives to refer to their own husbands. You might encounter it in older literature or in specific traditional contexts. It can sometimes carry a slightly negative or critical nuance if used by others, implying someone who is overly controlling or old-fashioned. So, it's generally best to avoid using this one unless you're very familiar with its specific connotations.

Meaning: He is a good husband. (This usage is quite dated.)

§ Summary: When to use which word

Here's a quick guide to help you choose:

• ご主人 (goshujin): Use this when referring to someone else's husband in a polite and respectful way. This is your go-to for external references.
• 夫 (otto): Use this when referring to your own husband. It's neutral and widely accepted.
• 主人 (shujin): Use this when referring to your own husband, especially if you prefer a slightly more traditional or humble tone. Be aware of its slight old-fashioned nuance.
• 旦那 (danna): Use this informally for your own husband or sometimes for someone else's husband in very casual settings. Use with caution in formal situations.
• 亭主 (teishu): Best to avoid this in most modern conversations.