When we talk about a woman whose husband has passed away, the Japanese word for that is 未亡人 (mibōjin). It literally means 'not yet deceased person' from ancient traditions, but in modern Japanese, it simply refers to a widow. You might hear this term in stories or news. It’s good to know this word as you learn more Japanese vocabulary. This word helps you understand family relationships and life events.
When we talk about a woman whose husband has passed away, the Japanese word for this is 未亡人 (mibōjin). It literally means 'not yet deceased person', but it refers to a widow.
You might hear this term in news or formal conversations when talking about someone who has lost their husband. While it's a polite and formal term, sometimes people prefer other ways to describe a woman who has lost her husband, like saying '夫を亡くした女性' (otto o nakushita josei), which means 'a woman who lost her husband'.
When we talk about a woman whose husband has passed away, the Japanese word we use is 未亡人 (mibōjin). This term specifically refers to a 'widow'.
You might encounter this word in various contexts, from news reports to novels, when discussing the marital status of a woman after her husband's death. It's a straightforward term, so understanding its meaning is quite practical for everyday Japanese comprehension.
When discussing marital status in Japanese, it's useful to know terms like 未亡人 (mibōjin), which refers to a widow. While this term is still understood, it's becoming less common in everyday conversation due to its somewhat formal and traditional connotations. You might hear or read it in older literature or formal settings. In more casual modern Japanese, people often use phrases like 夫を亡くした人 (otto o nakushita hito), meaning 'a person who lost their husband,' or simply refer to the person's name and contextually imply their widowed status. However, understanding 未亡人 is still important for comprehensive Japanese comprehension, especially when encountering it in various texts.
When discussing the word 未亡人 (mibōjin), it's important to understand its nuances. While it directly translates to 'widow,' its usage in modern Japanese can sometimes be perceived as a bit outdated or even slightly insensitive, depending on the context.
The kanji literally mean 'not yet deceased person,' implying that she is a person whose husband has died but who has not yet followed him in death. For this reason, some people prefer more neutral terms or contextual descriptions, though 未亡人 is still widely understood.
It's commonly seen in news reports or more formal writing. However, in casual conversation, referring to someone directly as 未亡人 might feel a bit blunt to some, so you might hear people use descriptive phrases instead.
When discussing the word "未亡人" (mibōjin), which means widow, it's helpful to understand its nuances. Historically, the term literally translates to "not yet dead person" (未 = not yet, 亡 = deceased, 人 = person), reflecting a time when remarriage for women was less common or even frowned upon, implying she was still tied to her deceased husband. While still understood, this traditional nuance is important for learners to grasp. For a contemporary, more neutral term, you might encounter 「夫を亡くした女性」 (otto o nakushita josei), which simply means "a woman who lost her husband," removing some of the historical baggage. However, 「未亡人」 is still a commonly recognized and understood term in everyday Japanese.
未亡人 30 सेकंड में
- woman
- husband
- died
§ What 未亡人 Means
The Japanese word 未亡人 (mibōjin) refers to a widow, specifically a woman whose husband has passed away. It's a formal and somewhat dated term. While you might still encounter it in literature, older news articles, or very formal settings, it's not the most common word you'll hear in everyday conversation.
- Japanese Word
- 未亡人 (みぼうじん)
- Meaning
- Widow; a woman whose husband has died.
- CEFR Level
- B1
§ When to Use 未亡人
As mentioned, 未亡人 is a term with a specific nuance. Here’s a breakdown of when you might see or hear it, and why:
- Formal Contexts: You'll most likely find 未亡人 in formal documents, legal language, or very traditional settings. Think obituaries, wills, or historical narratives.
- Older Usage: It carries a somewhat antiquated feel. In modern, casual conversation, people tend to use more neutral or descriptive phrases.
- Literary Works: Japanese novels, plays, or historical accounts might use 未亡人 to convey a specific tone or to reflect the language of a past era.
It's important to understand that while 未亡人 technically means 'widow,' it can sometimes feel a bit formal or even emotionally detached compared to how people might refer to a widowed person in English. The literal meaning of the kanji is 'not yet dead person,' implying a person who has survived their spouse but is perhaps seen in relation to their deceased partner. This is a bit of a heavy connotation, which is part of why more direct or less loaded terms are often preferred in casual speech.
§ Example Sentences
彼女は若くして未亡人となった。
- Hint
- She became a widow at a young age.
その未亡人は静かに暮らしている。
- Hint
- The widow lives quietly.
未亡人に対する弔問客が途切れることはなかった。
- Hint
- There was a constant stream of mourners for the widow.
Notice how in these examples, 未亡人 is used directly as 'widow' in a formal or narrative context. It functions as a noun, just like 'widow' in English.
§ Understanding "未亡人" (mibōjin)
The Japanese word 未亡人 (mibōjin) translates to "widow" in English. It refers specifically to a woman whose husband has passed away. While straightforward in meaning, let's look at how it fits into sentences.
- DEFINITION
- Widow; a woman whose husband has died.
§ How to Use It in a Sentence
You can use 未亡人 as a noun, often with particles like の (no) to show possession or as the subject/object of a sentence.
彼女は若くして未亡人になった。
Kanojo wa wakaku shite mibōjin ni natta.
- 彼女 (kanojo): She
- 若くして (wakaku shite): At a young age
- 〜になった (ni natta): Became (past tense of になる - ni naru)
Hint: She became a widow at a young age.
その未亡人は一人で子供を育てた。
Sono mibōjin wa hitori de kodomo wo sodateta.
- その (sono): That
- 一人で (hitori de): Alone; by herself
- 子供 (kodomo): Child/children
- を (wo): Object particle
- 育てた (sodateta): Raised (past tense of 育てる - sodateru)
Hint: That widow raised her children by herself.
§ Using "の" (no) for Possession
When you want to describe something belonging to a widow, you can use the possessive particle の (no).
未亡人の財産は彼女の子供たちに引き継がれた。
Mibōjin no zaisan wa kanojo no kodomotachi ni hikitsugareta.
- 財産 (zaisan): Property; assets
- は (wa): Topic particle
- 子供たち (kodomotachi): Children
- に (ni): To (indicates recipient)
- 引き継がれた (hikitsugareta): Was inherited (passive past tense of 引き継ぐ - hikitsugu)
Hint: The widow's assets were inherited by her children.
§ Formal vs. Everyday Usage
未亡人 is a clear and direct term. You'll find it in news reports, formal documents, and literature. For very casual conversations, as mentioned, people might use alternative phrasing, but it's good to know and understand 未亡人.
彼はその未亡人に同情した。
Kare wa sono mibōjin ni dōjō shita.
- 彼 (kare): He
- に (ni): To (indicates the object of sympathy)
- 同情した (dōjō shita): Sympathized (past tense of 同情する - dōjō suru)
Hint: He sympathized with that widow.
Alright, let's dive into the word 未亡人 (みぼうじん - mibōjin). This word is often translated as 'widow' in English. It's a B1 level word, which means it's pretty common and you'll definitely encounter it if you're engaging with Japanese media or conversations.
- DEFINITION
- 未亡人 (mibōjin) refers to a woman whose husband has died.
§ Where you actually hear this word — work, school, news
You're likely to hear or read 未亡人 in a few common scenarios. Let's break them down:
- News and Media: This is a very common place to encounter 未亡人. When reporting on events involving a woman whose husband has passed away, especially in official statements or news articles, 未亡人 is the standard term. You'll see it in newspapers, online news sites, and sometimes hear it on TV news reports.
- Formal Documents and Legal Contexts: In legal documents, insurance paperwork, or any official record where marital status is relevant, 未亡人 will be used to denote a widow. It's precise and unambiguous in these situations.
- Literature and Historical Contexts: If you're reading Japanese novels, especially older ones, or historical accounts, you'll definitely come across 未亡人. It's a standard term used to describe characters or figures who are widows.
- Some Everyday Conversations (with nuance): While not as common in casual chats, you might hear 未亡人 in more formal conversations or when discussing sensitive topics. However, as mentioned before, in very casual settings, people might opt for descriptive phrases.
Let's look at some examples of how 未亡人 is used in sentences:
彼女は若くして未亡人になった。
Kanojo wa wakaku shite mibōjin ni natta.
She became a widow at a young age.
その事故の後、彼の未亡人が事業を引き継いだ。
Sono jiko no ato, kare no mibōjin ga jigyō o hikitsuida.
After the accident, his widow took over the business.
新聞記事には、故人の未亡人についての詳細が書かれていた。
Shinbun kiji ni wa, kojin no mibōjin ni tsuite no shōsai ga kakareteita.
The newspaper article detailed information about the deceased's widow.
Pay attention to the context when you encounter 未亡人. Its usage often signals a more formal or news-oriented discussion. Keep practicing, and you'll get the hang of it!
§ Avoid Using 未亡人 in Casual Conversation
The word 未亡人 (mibōjin) literally translates to "not yet dead person" (referring to the deceased husband) and, while technically meaning "widow," it carries a somewhat archaic and formal nuance in modern Japanese. It's not a word you'd typically use in everyday, casual conversation. Using it can sound overly dramatic or even a bit insensitive, especially if you're speaking directly to a widow. Think of it like using the English word "relict" – while technically correct, it's not common.
§ More Natural Ways to Refer to a Widow
Instead of 未亡人, it's usually more natural and respectful to use descriptive phrases or to simply refer to the person by their name or relationship. For example:
If you're talking about someone whose husband has passed away, you could say: 夫を亡くした女性 (otto o nakushita josei) – "a woman who lost her husband."
彼女は夫を亡くした女性です。
- Hint
- She is a woman who lost her husband.
If you know the person, you can simply refer to them by their name and explain the situation if necessary. For instance, if you're talking about Mrs. Tanaka whose husband passed away, you'd say 田中さん (Tanaka-san).
田中さんは先月ご主人を亡くしました。
- Hint
- Mrs. Tanaka lost her husband last month.
Another option is to say 夫のいない女性 (otto no inai josei) – "a woman without a husband." This is a more neutral and descriptive phrase.
彼女は夫のいない女性です。
- Hint
- She is a woman without a husband.
§ The Formal Context of 未亡人
While we advise against using 未亡人 in most daily conversations, it's important to recognize where it might still be used. You could hear or see it in:
Very formal announcements, like obituaries or legal documents, though even here, more contemporary terms are becoming common.
Historical dramas or novels, as it was a standard term in the past.
Sometimes, for a specific and very formal introduction of someone in a public setting, but this is rare and usually has a deliberate, somewhat old-fashioned tone.
The key takeaway is to understand 未亡人 if you encounter it, but to prioritize using more contemporary and sensitive language when you're speaking or writing in Japanese yourself.
§ What 未亡人 (mibōjin) means
The Japanese word 未亡人 (mibōjin) refers to a widow, a woman whose husband has died. It's a formal term you might encounter in official documents, news reports, or older literature. While it literally translates to something like "not yet dead person" (referring to the woman who has outlived her husband), its meaning is simply "widow."
- Japanese Word
- 未亡人 (mibōjin)
- Definition
- Widow; a woman whose husband has died.
- CEFR Level
- B1
§ Examples of 未亡人 in use
彼女は未亡人として、子供たちを育て上げた。(Kanojo wa mibōjin to shite, kodomo-tachi o sodateageta.)
Hint: As a widow, she raised her children.
その未亡人は、夫の遺産を受け取った。(Sono mibōjin wa, otto no isan o uketotta.)
Hint: The widow received her husband's inheritance.
§ Similar words and when to use them
While 未亡人 is a perfectly understandable word for "widow," it can sometimes sound a bit formal or even archaic in modern conversation. Here are some alternatives and how they compare:
夫を亡くした人 (otto o nakushita hito): This literally means "a person who lost her husband." This is a very neutral and empathetic way to refer to a widow. It's often preferred in casual conversation because it focuses on the personal experience rather than a formal status. It's also gender-neutral if you replace 夫 (otto - husband) with 妻 (tsuma - wife) for a widower.
彼女は夫を亡くした人です。(Kanojo wa otto o nakushita hito desu.)
Hint: She is a person who lost her husband.
寡婦 (kafu): This is another formal term for "widow," often found in written contexts like legal documents or older literary works. It carries a similar formal nuance to 未亡人 but is also not as common in daily speech.
彼は寡婦の再婚を支援した。(Kare wa kafu no saikon o shien shita.)
Hint: He supported the remarriage of the widow.
奥さん (oku-san) or 妻 (tsuma) (used in past tense): While not direct translations of "widow," sometimes in conversation, people might simply refer to someone as the "late husband's wife" using past tense verbs, implying her current status. For example, 亡くなったご主人の奥さん (nakunatta goshujin no oku-san), meaning "the late husband's wife." This is a more roundabout but natural way to express it in some informal situations, focusing on the previous relationship.
In summary:
- 未亡人 (mibōjin): Formal, direct, but can sound a bit old-fashioned. Use in official documents or serious contexts.
- 夫を亡くした人 (otto o nakushita hito): Neutral, empathetic, and common in everyday conversation.
- 寡婦 (kafu): Formal, similar to 未亡人, more common in written and specific formal contexts.
Understanding these options will help you navigate Japanese conversations and texts with greater accuracy and sensitivity.
रोचक तथ्य
The kanji 未 (mi) means 'not yet' or 'un-', and 亡 (bō) means 'deceased' or 'perished'. The combination suggests 'not yet perished' in a sense, but in context with 亡人 (bōjin) meaning 'deceased person', it implies a woman whose husband has passed away.
उच्चारण मार्गदर्शिका
- Don't pronounce the 'i' in 'mi' too strongly; it's a short, almost swallowed sound.
- Ensure the 'o' in 'bou' is a long 'o' sound, like in 'boat'.
- The 'ji' sound is like the 'gee' in 'geese'.
स्तर के अनुसार उदाहरण
彼女は若い未亡人です。
She is a young widow.
彼の母は未亡人になった。
His mother became a widow.
その未亡人は子供を育てた。
The widow raised her children.
未亡人は一人で暮らしています。
The widow lives alone.
彼女は未亡人として強く生きた。
She lived strongly as a widow.
村には未亡人が多いです。
There are many widows in the village.
未亡人は夫の写真を大切にしている。
The widow cherishes her husband's photo.
近所の未亡人はとても親切です。
The neighboring widow is very kind.
彼女は若い未亡人ですが、とても強い人です。
She is a young widow, but a very strong person.
村には未亡人が何人かいます。
There are several widows in the village.
その未亡人は一人で子供を育てました。
That widow raised her child alone.
彼は未亡人の友人を見舞いました。
He visited his widow friend.
未亡人になると、生活は大きく変わります。
When you become a widow, life changes greatly.
その未亡人は、夫の財産を受け継ぎました。
The widow inherited her husband's property.
近所の未亡人が、いつも親切にしてくれます。
The widow next door is always kind to me.
未亡人として、彼女は新しい人生を始めました。
As a widow, she started a new life.
未亡人となった彼女は、子供たちを育てるために懸命に働いた。
Having become a widow, she worked hard to raise her children.
その未亡人は、夫の死後も前向きに人生を歩んだ。
Even after her husband's death, the widow continued to live her life positively.
近所の未亡人が、いつも庭の手入れをしている。
The widow next door is always tending to her garden.
彼女は若い未亡人だったが、とても気丈な人だった。
She was a young widow, but a very strong-willed person.
その未亡人は、夫の遺産を慈善事業に寄付した。
The widow donated her husband's inheritance to charity.
村には何人かの未亡人が暮らしている。
Several widows live in the village.
未亡人となった彼女は、新たな人生の目標を見つけた。
Having become a widow, she found new life goals.
その未亡人は、夫を偲んで毎年お墓参りをしている。
The widow visits her husband's grave every year in memory of him.
彼女は若い未亡人で、子供を育てながら一人で生計を立てています。
She is a young widow, supporting herself and raising children alone.
村の長老である未亡人は、皆から尊敬されていました。
The widow, an elder of the village, was respected by everyone.
彼は未亡人となった母親の世話を献身的に行いました。
He devotedly took care of his widowed mother.
その未亡人は夫の遺産を慈善事業に寄付しました。
The widow donated her husband's inheritance to charity.
彼女は未亡人として、力強く人生を歩んでいます。
As a widow, she is bravely moving forward in life.
戦争で多くの未亡人が生まれ、社会問題となりました。
Many widows were created by the war, becoming a social issue.
隣の未亡人は、いつも親切に私たちを見守ってくれました。
Our neighbor, the widow, always kindly watched over us.
彼女は未亡人になった後も、夫の夢を受け継ぎビジネスを続けました。
Even after becoming a widow, she inherited her husband's dream and continued the business.
彼女は戦争で未亡人となり、その後ずっと一人で子供たちを育ててきました。
She became a widow in the war and has raised her children alone ever since.
村の多くの未亡人たちは、互いに助け合いながら生活しています。
Many widows in the village support each other in their lives.
その未亡人は夫の遺志を継ぎ、事業を成功させました。
The widow carried on her husband's will and made the business successful.
未亡人年金は、夫を亡くした妻の生活を支えるための重要な制度です。
Widow's pension is an important system to support the lives of wives who have lost their husbands.
彼は未亡人の悲しみに寄り添い、精神的な支えとなりました。
He empathized with the widow's grief and became a moral support.
物語の主人公は、若くして未亡人となった女性が困難に立ち向かう姿を描いています。
The protagonist of the story depicts a woman who became a widow at a young age confronting difficulties.
未亡人となった彼女は、新しい人生を歩むことを決意しました。
Having become a widow, she decided to embark on a new life.
地域社会は、未亡人や高齢者への支援を積極的に行っています。
The local community actively provides support for widows and the elderly.
सामान्य शब्द संयोजन
सामान्य वाक्यांश
彼女は若い未亡人です。
She is a young widow.
私の祖母は未亡人になった。
My grandmother became a widow.
未亡人として彼女は強く生きた。
As a widow, she lived strongly.
彼は未亡人と結婚した。
He married a widow.
未亡人の生活は大変だった。
The life of a widow was difficult.
その未亡人は毎日教会に行った。
That widow went to church every day.
未亡人は夫の遺産を受け取った。
The widow received her husband's inheritance.
彼女は未亡人手当で生活している。
She lives on a widow's allowance.
未亡人が再婚するのは珍しくない。
It's not uncommon for a widow to remarry.
未亡人の支援団体がある。
There are support groups for widows.
अक्सर इससे भ्रम होता है
This is a general term for a 'single woman' and doesn't imply loss of a spouse.
This is a broader phrase meaning 'someone who lost their partner,' which could include unmarried partners, and is less specific than 未亡人.
This refers to a woman who has 'separated' or 'divorced,' not one whose husband has died.
व्याकरण पैटर्न
मुहावरे और अभिव्यक्तियाँ
"未亡人となる (mibōjin to naru)"
To become a widow
彼女は若い時に未亡人となった。 (Kanojo wa wakai toki ni mibōjin to natta.) - She became a widow at a young age.
neutral"未亡人暮らし (mibōjin gurashi)"
Life as a widow
未亡人暮らしは大変だと聞いている。 (Mibōjin gurashi wa taihen da to kiite iru.) - I've heard that life as a widow is difficult.
neutral"未亡人手当 (mibōjin teate)"
Widow's allowance/pension
彼は未亡人手当を受け取っている。 (Kare wa mibōjin teate o uketotte iru.) - He receives a widow's allowance.
formal"未亡人年金 (mibōjin nenkin)"
Widow's pension
未亡人年金の申請手続きをした。 (Mibōjin nenkin no shinsei tetsuzuki o shita.) - I applied for a widow's pension.
formal"未亡人の家 (mibōjin no ie)"
Widow's house/home
彼女は未亡人の家で静かに暮らしている。 (Kanojo wa mibōjin no ie de shizuka ni kurashite iru.) - She lives quietly in the widow's house.
neutral"未亡人の子 (mibōjin no ko)"
Child of a widow
彼は未亡人の子として育った。 (Kare wa mibōjin no ko to shite sodatta.) - He grew up as the child of a widow.
neutral"未亡人再婚 (mibōjin saikon)"
Widow's remarriage
未亡人再婚は珍しくない。 (Mibōjin saikon wa mezurashikunai.) - Widow's remarriage is not uncommon.
neutral"未亡人の身 (mibōjin no mi)"
One's state/status as a widow
未亡人の身で子供を育てるのは大変だ。 (Mibōjin no mi de kodomo o sodateru no wa taihen da.) - It's difficult to raise children as a widow.
neutral"未亡人として生きる (mibōjin to shite ikiru)"
To live as a widow
彼女は未亡人として強く生きている。 (Kanojo wa mibōjin to shite tsuyoku ikite iru.) - She lives strongly as a widow.
neutral"未亡人である (mibōjin de aru)"
To be a widow
彼女はまだ若いが未亡人である。 (Kanojo wa mada wakai ga mibōjin de aru.) - She is still young but is a widow.
neutralआसानी से भ्रमित होने वाले
This word specifically refers to a woman whose husband has died. It's often confused with words that refer to single women or women who have lost a partner but weren't married.
未亡人 strictly means 'widow,' while other terms might be more general or refer to different relationship statuses.
彼女は若い未亡人です。 (She is a young widow.)
While a widow is technically single, 独身 (dokushin) generally refers to someone who has never been married or is currently unmarried by choice.
独身 is a broad term for 'single' (unmarried), whereas 未亡人 specifies the reason for being single (loss of husband).
彼はまだ独身ですか？ (Is he still single?)
単身 (tanshin) often means 'single person' but typically in the context of living alone or moving alone for work, not specifically about marital status.
単身 focuses on living situation, not marital status or the loss of a spouse.
彼は単身赴任で大阪にいます。 (He's in Osaka on a solo work assignment.)
寡婦 (kafu) is another word for widow, but it's less common in everyday conversation and sounds more formal or literary.
未亡人 is the more common and natural-sounding term for 'widow' in modern Japanese. 寡婦 is more formal.
その寡婦は子供たちを育てた。 (That widow raised her children.)
This phrase refers to 'deceased husband' but isn't a direct synonym for 'widow.' It describes the husband, not the woman.
亡き夫 describes the person who died, while 未亡人 describes the status of the surviving wife.
彼女は亡き夫の思い出を大切にしている。 (She cherishes the memories of her deceased husband.)
वाक्य संरचनाएँ
彼女は子供が幼い頃に未亡人になりました。
She became a widow when her children were young.
未亡人として、彼女は多くの困難に直面しました。
As a widow, she faced many difficulties.
彼は未亡人の友人を支えました。
He supported his widowed friend.
その村には多くの未亡人が住んでいました。
Many widows lived in that village.
未亡人の手記には、亡き夫への愛情が綴られていました。
The widow's memoir was filled with love for her deceased husband.
彼女は未亡人となった後も、社会活動に積極的に参加しました。
Even after becoming a widow, she actively participated in social activities.
未亡人救済のための基金が設立されました。
A fund was established for the relief of widows.
未亡人という立場を乗り越え、彼女は新しい人生を歩み始めました。
Overcoming her status as a widow, she began a new life.
शब्द परिवार
संज्ञा
सुझाव
Basic Meaning
「未亡人」 (mibōjin) directly translates to widow. It refers to a woman whose husband has passed away.
Etymology Hint
The kanji are 未 (mi - not yet), 亡 (bō - deceased/lost), and 人 (jin - person). So, literally, it can be thought of as a 'person not yet deceased' (referring to the woman herself, despite her husband's passing), but it's used to mean widow.
Politeness Level
While correct, 「未亡人」 can sometimes sound a bit formal or even slightly old-fashioned. In casual conversation, people might use other phrasing or avoid the direct term.
Modern Usage
In contemporary Japanese, you might hear 「夫を亡くした女性」 (otto o nakushita josei - a woman who lost her husband) as a more neutral or descriptive phrase instead of the single word 「未亡人」, especially in more sensitive contexts. However, 「未亡人」 is still understood and used.
Pronunciation Practice
Break down the pronunciation: mi-boh-jin. The 'ō' is a long 'o' sound. Practice saying it out loud. Mibōjin.
Example Sentence 1
彼女は若い未亡人です。
Kanojo wa wakai mibōjin desu.
(She is a young widow.)
Example Sentence 2
彼は未亡人とその子供たちを助けた。
Kare wa mibōjin to sono kodomotachi o tasuketa.
(He helped the widow and her children.)
No Male Equivalent
There isn't a direct single kanji word like 「未亡人」 for a widower (a man whose wife has died). For a man, you would typically say 「妻を亡くした男性」 (tsuma o nakushita dansei - a man who lost his wife).
Related Vocabulary
亡くなる (nakunaru - to pass away/die), 夫 (otto - husband), 妻 (tsuma - wife), 喪主 (moshu - chief mourner/head of the funeral).
याद करें
स्मृति सहायक
Imagine a 'ME-BŌ-JIN' (未亡人) who is 'me-bowing-in' respect at her husband's funeral. She's a widow.
दृश्य संबंध
Picture an old, traditional Japanese house. Inside, a woman in black, looking sad, is sitting alone. She is a 'mibōjin', a widow, surrounded by the memories of her husband.
Word Web
चैलेंज
Try to write three sentences using 未亡人 in different contexts. For example, describe a situation where someone becomes a widow, or talk about a widow's strength.
शब्द की उत्पत्ति
From Middle Chinese 'mj+i buw ngj+in', meaning 'not husband person'.
मूल अर्थ: A woman whose husband is 'not there' or 'no longer present'.
Sino-Japanese (Kango)सांस्कृतिक संदर्भ
Japanese society traditionally placed a strong emphasis on family and lineage, and the role of a widow carried specific social implications. While modern Japan is more diverse, historically, a widow might have faced challenges regarding social status and economic independence. The term itself is straightforward, but understanding the historical context adds depth to its usage.
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल
10 सवालThe Japanese word for 'widow' is 未亡人 (mibōjin). It literally means 'not yet deceased person', referring to a woman whose husband has died.
While 未亡人 (mibōjin) is the formal term for 'widow', it's becoming less common in everyday conversation. You might hear people use other phrases like 'ご主人が亡くなられた方' (go-shujin ga nakunarareta kata - 'a person whose husband has passed away') which is more polite and less direct.
As mentioned, people often use more indirect or polite phrases like 'ご主人が亡くなられた方'. There isn't a direct synonym that's commonly used and interchangeable with 未亡人 (mibōjin).
未亡人 (mibōjin) itself is not offensive. However, it can feel a bit dated or overly formal. Some might find it a bit cold because it focuses on the husband's death rather than the woman's current situation. Using more general terms can be more sensitive.
It's pronounced mi-bō-jin. 'Mi' as in 'mi-lk', 'bō' like 'boa' in 'boa constrictor', and 'jin' like 'gin'.
No, 未亡人 (mibōjin) specifically refers to a woman whose husband has died. The term for a man whose wife has died is '男やもめ (otoko yamome)' or '寡夫 (kafu)' (the latter is more formal).
Certainly. Here's an example:
彼女は若くして未亡人になりました。
Kanojo wa wakaku shite mibōjin ni narimashita.
(She became a widow at a young age.)
Historically, it was considered a proper and respectful term. In contemporary Japan, while not inherently disrespectful, many people prefer more general or softer expressions to refer to a woman whose husband has passed away.
CEFR B1 indicates that 未亡人 (mibōjin) is an intermediate-level vocabulary word. At this level, learners can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc., and can produce simple connected text on topics that are familiar or of personal interest.
The Kanji are:
未 (mi): not yet
亡 (bō): deceased, lost
人 (jin): person
So, literally 'not yet deceased person'.
खुद को परखो 138 सवाल
彼女は彼の死後、___ となった。(Kanojo wa kare no shigo, ___ to natta.)
The sentence indicates that 'she' became something after his death. '未亡人' (mibōjin) means 'widow', which fits the context.
その古い家には、一人の___が住んでいる。(Sono furui ie ni wa, hitori no ___ ga sunde iru.)
The sentence talks about someone living in an old house. '未亡人' (mibōjin) can be a singular resident of a house.
私の隣人は最近___になりました。(Watashi no rinjin wa saikin ___ ni narimashita.)
The sentence implies a recent change in status for a neighbor. '未亡人' (mibōjin) describes someone who has recently become a widow.
彼女は夫を亡くし、それからずっと___です。(Kanojo wa otto o nakushi, sore kara zutto ___ desu.)
The phrase '夫を亡くし' (otto o nakushi) means 'lost her husband'. This naturally leads to her being a '未亡人' (mibōjin).
その___は、子供たちを育てた。(Sono ___ wa, kodomotachi o sodateta.)
The sentence states 'sodateta' (raised), implying a caretaker. A '未亡人' (mibōjin) often raises children.
彼女は___として新しい人生を始めた。(Kanojo wa ___ to shite atarashii jinsei o hajimeta.)
The sentence talks about starting a new life 'as' something. '未亡人' (mibōjin) describes her status as she begins a new phase of life.
Which of these words means 'widow'?
未亡人 (mibōjin) specifically refers to a woman whose husband has died. 夫 (otto) means husband, 妻 (tsuma) means wife, and 家族 (kazoku) means family.
If a woman's husband has passed away, what would you call her in Japanese?
未亡人 (mibōjin) is the correct term for a widow. 独身 (dokushin) means single, 既婚者 (kikonsha) means married person, and 恋人 (koibito) means lover/partner.
Choose the correct Japanese word for 'widow'.
未亡人 (mibōjin) is the specific word for a widow. 女性 (josei) means woman, 男性 (dansei) means man, and 子供 (kodomo) means child.
「未亡人」 (mibōjin) means a man whose wife has died.
「未亡人」 (mibōjin) specifically refers to a woman whose husband has died, not a man whose wife has died.
「未亡人」 (mibōjin) is a word for a woman whose husband has passed away.
This statement is correct. 「未亡人」 (mibōjin) translates to widow.
You can use 「未亡人」 (mibōjin) to describe a woman who is unmarried.
「未亡人」 (mibōjin) is only used for a woman whose husband has died. An unmarried woman is 独身 (dokushin).
Listen to the sentence about family.
Listen to the sentence about being a student.
Listen to the sentence about someone's nationality.
Read this aloud:
こんにちは。
Focus: こ・ん・に・ち・は
तुमने कहा:
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Read this aloud:
ありがとう。
Focus: あ・り・が・と・う
तुमने कहा:
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Read this aloud:
さようなら。
Focus: さ・よ・う・な・ら
तुमने कहा:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Imagine you are introducing your grandmother, who is a widow, to a Japanese friend. Write one sentence in Japanese introducing her. Include the word "未亡人" (mibōjin).
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
彼女は未亡人です。 (Kanojo wa mibōjin desu. She is a widow.)
You are writing a short note to a Japanese friend about a woman who is a widow. Write a simple sentence in Japanese describing her status using "未亡人" (mibōjin).
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
その女性は未亡人です。 (Sono josei wa mibōjin desu. That woman is a widow.)
You want to say in Japanese, 'My neighbor is a widow.' Use "未亡人" (mibōjin).
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
私の隣人は未亡人です。 (Watashi no rinjin wa mibōjin desu. My neighbor is a widow.)
What is Tanaka-san's status?
Read this passage:
田中さんは未亡人です。彼女は毎日庭で花を育てています。 (Tanaka-san wa mibōjin desu. Kanojo wa mainichi niwa de hana o sodateteimasu.)
What is Tanaka-san's status?
The first sentence clearly states '田中さんは未亡人です' (Tanaka-san wa mibōjin desu), meaning 'Ms. Tanaka is a widow.'
The first sentence clearly states '田中さんは未亡人です' (Tanaka-san wa mibōjin desu), meaning 'Ms. Tanaka is a widow.'
What is the book about?
Read this passage:
この本は未亡人について書いています。彼女はとても強いです。 (Kono hon wa mibōjin ni tsuite kaiteimasu. Kanojo wa totemo tsuyoi desu.)
What is the book about?
The first sentence says 'この本は未亡人について書いています' (Kono hon wa mibōjin ni tsuite kaiteimasu), which translates to 'This book is about a widow.'
The first sentence says 'この本は未亡人について書いています' (Kono hon wa mibōjin ni tsuite kaiteimasu), which translates to 'This book is about a widow.'
What is true about my grandmother?
Read this passage:
私の祖母は未亡人です。彼女は美味しい料理を作ります。 (Watashi no sobo wa mibōjin desu. Kanojo wa oishii ryōri o tsukurimasu.)
What is true about my grandmother?
The first sentence '私の祖母は未亡人です' (Watashi no sobo wa mibōjin desu) means 'My grandmother is a widow.'
The first sentence '私の祖母は未亡人です' (Watashi no sobo wa mibōjin desu) means 'My grandmother is a widow.'
This sentence means 'I am a student.' The correct order is '私 (I) は (topic particle) 学生 (student) です (is).'
This sentence means 'This is a book.' The correct order is 'これ (This) は (topic particle) 本 (book) です (is).'
This sentence means 'Are you Japanese?' The correct order is 'あなた (You) は (topic particle) 日本人 (Japanese person) です (are) か (question particle)?'
Choose the correct kanji for 'mibōjin' (widow).
未 (mi) means 'not yet', 亡 (bō) means 'deceased', and 人 (jin) means 'person'. So 未亡人 refers to a woman whose husband has died.
Which of these words means 'widow'?
未亡人 (mibōjin) specifically refers to a widow. 夫 (otto) is husband, 妻 (tsuma) is wife, and 子供 (kodomo) is child.
A woman whose husband has passed away is called a...
未亡人 (mibōjin) is the Japanese term for a widow. 学生 (gakusei) is student, 先生 (sensei) is teacher, and 医者 (isha) is doctor.
The word 未亡人 (mibōjin) refers to a woman whose husband has died.
That's correct. 未亡人 specifically means 'widow'.
未亡人 (mibōjin) can refer to a man whose wife has died.
No, 未亡人 is specifically used for a woman whose husband has died. The term for a man whose wife has died is 'やもめ' (yamome) or '鰥夫' (kanpu).
The word 未亡人 (mibōjin) is commonly used to describe a single woman who has never been married.
This is false. 未亡人 (mibōjin) is used for a woman who was married but whose husband has died. A single woman is called 独身 (dokushin).
This sentence means 'She is a young widow.' The particles and word order are standard for Japanese.
This sentence means 'His grandmother is a widow.' 'だ' is a casual form of 'です' (to be).
This sentence means 'That widow lives alone.' '一人で' means 'alone'.
彼女は若い___として、子供たちを一人で育てました。
The sentence describes a woman who raised children alone, implying her husband is no longer with her. 「未亡人」means 'widow'.
戦争で夫を亡くした多くの女性が___になりました。
The sentence states that many women lost their husbands in the war, which directly leads to them becoming 'widows' (未亡人).
そのおばあさんは長年___として暮らしています。
The context of an elderly woman living for many years in a particular status suggests she is a 'widow' (未亡人) if her husband has passed away.
村では、夫を亡くした___が助け合って生活しています。
The sentence specifies women who lost their husbands, making 'widows' (未亡人) the most appropriate fit for those helping each other.
彼女は自分のことを___と呼ぶことを選びました。
The action of choosing to call herself something implies a specific identity, and if her husband has died, 'widow' (未亡人) is the correct term.
悲しみに暮れる___に、近所の人々が温かい支援を提供しました。
The phrase 'grieving person' (悲しみに暮れる) combined with neighborhood support suggests a 'widow' (未亡人) who has recently lost her husband.
Choose the most appropriate word to complete the sentence: 彼女は夫を亡くし、すぐに___となりました。
The sentence describes a woman who lost her husband, so '未亡人' (widow) is the correct term.
Which of the following describes a '未亡人'?
The definition of '未亡人' is a widow, a woman whose husband has died.
どの文が「未亡人」という言葉を正しく使っていますか？
The word '未亡人' refers to a woman. The other options use the word incorrectly in terms of gender or situation.
「未亡人」は夫を亡くした女性を指す言葉です。
This statement accurately defines '未亡人' as a woman whose husband has died.
男性が妻を亡くした場合、「未亡人」と呼ばれます。
「未亡人」 specifically refers to a woman. A man who has lost his wife is called '寡夫' (kafū) or 'やもめ' (yamome).
彼女は結婚していないので、「未亡人」です。
「未亡人」 implies that the woman was previously married and her husband has died. Someone who has never been married is not a '未亡人'.
She is a young widow, but a very strong person.
The widow raised her child alone.
When you become a widow, life changes greatly.
Read this aloud:
彼女は未亡人になった後も、仕事を続けました。
Focus: mi-bou-jin ni natta ato mo
तुमने कहा:
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Read this aloud:
未亡人として、彼女は多くの困難を乗り越えました。
Focus: mi-bou-jin to shite
तुमने कहा:
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Read this aloud:
その未亡人はいつも笑顔で、周りを明るくしました。
Focus: itsu-mo e-gao de
तुमने कहा:
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Imagine you are writing a short diary entry about a movie you saw. In the movie, an old woman becomes a widow. Write one sentence describing her new situation using 「未亡人」. (Hint: The movie was sad.)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
昨日見た映画では、主人公の女性が夫を亡くし、未亡人になりました。とても悲しい物語でした。
You are helping a friend write a simple family tree description. Describe your grandmother, who has been a widow for many years, in one Japanese sentence. (Hint: 'My grandmother' is 私のおばあちゃん)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
私のおばあちゃんは、長年未亡人です。
Write a short, polite sentence in Japanese explaining that a certain woman is now a widow. (Hint: 'That woman' is その女性)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
その女性は未亡人です。
この文章から、田中さんの奥さんについて正しいのはどれですか？ (Which of the following is true about Mrs. Tanaka according to this passage?)
Read this passage:
田中さんの奥さんは、先月夫を亡くしました。彼女は今、未亡人です。しかし、彼女はとても強く、毎日頑張って生活しています。近所の人は彼女をいつも応援しています。
この文章から、田中さんの奥さんについて正しいのはどれですか？ (Which of the following is true about Mrs. Tanaka according to this passage?)
文章に「先月夫を亡くしました」とあるので、夫を亡くしたことが正しいです。(The passage says 'lost her husband last month', so losing her husband is correct.)
文章に「先月夫を亡くしました」とあるので、夫を亡くしたことが正しいです。(The passage says 'lost her husband last month', so losing her husband is correct.)
この物語で、女性が未亡人になった理由は何ですか？ (In this story, what is the reason the woman became a widow?)
Read this passage:
昔々、ある村に美しい女性がいました。彼女の夫は戦いで命を落とし、彼女は未亡人になりました。村人たちは彼女を助け、彼女は新しい人生を始めました。
この物語で、女性が未亡人になった理由は何ですか？ (In this story, what is the reason the woman became a widow?)
物語に「彼女の夫は戦いで命を落とし」と書いてあるので、夫が戦いで死んだことが理由です。(The story states 'her husband lost his life in battle', so her husband dying in battle is the reason.)
物語に「彼女の夫は戦いで命を落とし」と書いてあるので、夫が戦いで死んだことが理由です。(The story states 'her husband lost his life in battle', so her husband dying in battle is the reason.)
この文章から、筆者の祖母はどのような人だと思われますか？ (Based on this passage, what kind of person do you think the author's grandmother is?)
Read this passage:
私の祖母は、祖父が若くして亡くなったため、長い間未亡人として生きてきました。彼女はとても尊敬されています。地域社会でも積極的に活動しています。
この文章から、筆者の祖母はどのような人だと思われますか？ (Based on this passage, what kind of person do you think the author's grandmother is?)
文章に「とても尊敬されています」や「地域社会でも積極的に活動しています」とあるので、尊敬されていて活動的な人だと分かります。(The passage says 'is very respected' and 'is actively involved in the community', so she is a respected and active person.)
文章に「とても尊敬されています」や「地域社会でも積極的に活動しています」とあるので、尊敬されていて活動的な人だと分かります。(The passage says 'is very respected' and 'is actively involved in the community', so she is a respected and active person.)
This sentence translates to 'That was a young widow.' The correct order follows the typical Japanese sentence structure: subject-particle-adjective-noun-verb.
This sentence means 'She was deeply saddened.' '彼女は' (she) is the subject, followed by the emotional state '悲しみに' (in sadness) and the adverb '深く' (deeply) modifying the verb '暮れた' (was immersed/spent).
This sentence translates to 'She raised her child alone.' '彼女は' (she) is the subject, '一人で' (alone) indicates how she did it, and '子供を育てた' (raised child) is the verb phrase.
彼女は長年、___として強く生きてきた。
Contextually, '強く生きてきた' (has lived strongly) after a long time suggests enduring a difficult situation like being a widow. '既婚者' (married person), '独身' (single), and '女性' (woman) do not fit the emotional tone.
戦争で夫を亡くした多くの女性が___となった。
Losing a husband in war directly leads to becoming a widow. While they might also be '母親' (mothers) or '犠牲者' (victims), '未亡人' specifically describes their marital status due to the loss.
彼女は若くして___となり、子供たちを育て上げた。
The phrase '若くして___となり' (became ___ at a young age) followed by '子供たちを育て上げた' (raised children) implies a challenging situation where the husband is absent, making '未亡人' (widow) the most fitting term.
その古い家には、___のおばあさんが一人で住んでいた。
In many cultures, an 'おばあさん' (grandmother) living alone in an old house often suggests she has outlived her husband, making '未亡人' (widow) a common and appropriate description.
物語は、夫を失った___の苦悩を描いている。
The phrase '夫を失った___の苦悩' (the suffering of a ___ who lost her husband) directly points to the definition of a widow. While she could be the '主人公' (protagonist) or 'ヒロイン' (heroine), '未亡人' specifies her status.
彼女の強さは、___としての長年の経験からきている。
The '強さ' (strength) coming from '長年の経験' (many years of experience) as a widow suggests enduring and overcoming the difficulties associated with losing a spouse. Other options don't convey this specific hardship.
Choose the most appropriate word to complete the sentence: 彼女は夫を亡くし、すぐに___となりました。
The sentence indicates that her husband passed away, making her a 'widow'.
Which of the following describes a '未亡人'?
The definition of 未亡人 (mibōjin) is a widow, a woman whose husband has died.
彼は友人の___に深く同情した。 (He deeply sympathized with his friend's widow.)
The sentence requires a word for a woman whose husband has passed away, which is 未亡人.
「未亡人」は夫が生きている女性を指します。
「未亡人」は夫が亡くなった女性を指します。(Mibōjin refers to a woman whose husband has died.)
歴史的に「未亡人」は、夫に先立たれた女性が再婚しないことを期待する言葉でした。
Historically, 未亡人 carried the implication that the woman should not remarry, though this connotation is less strong today. The characters themselves mean 'not yet deceased person' in reference to herself, implying she should have died with her husband.
「未亡人」という言葉は、現代ではあまり使われない表現です。
While it can sound somewhat formal or old-fashioned in casual conversation, 「未亡人」 is still a commonly understood and used term for 'widow' in written and formal Japanese.
Listen for how someone became a widow and how she is living her life.
Listen for what the widow did after her husband's passing.
Listen for how the widow living next door treats others.
Read this aloud:
未亡人となった後も、彼女は強い意志を持って生きています。
Focus: 未亡人 (mibōjin)
तुमने कहा:
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Read this aloud:
彼の母親は、若くして未亡人になりました。
Focus: 若くして (wakaku shite)
तुमने कहा:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
村の未亡人たちは、互いに助け合って生活しています。
Focus: 助け合って (tasukeatte)
तुमने कहा:
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Imagine you are writing a short news article about an elderly woman who has recently lost her husband. Describe her situation using the word "未亡人".
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
先日、長年連れ添った夫を亡くした彼女は、現在未亡人として新しい生活を始めています。悲しみを乗り越え、前向きに生きる姿は多くの人々に感動を与えています。
Write a diary entry from the perspective of a person who has encountered a "未亡人" in their neighborhood. Describe your feelings or thoughts about her situation.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
今日、近所で未亡人になったばかりのおばあちゃんを見かけました。少し寂しそうな表情でしたが、それでも毅然と歩いていて、私も頑張ろうと思いました。
You are explaining the word "未亡人" to a friend. Write a sentence or two defining it and providing a simple example of its usage.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
「未亡人」というのは、夫が亡くなった女性のことを指す言葉だよ。例えば、「その未亡人は、夫の遺志を継いで事業を続けた」のように使うんだ。
この文章から、未亡人になった女性がどのような人物であると読み取れますか？
Read this passage:
彼女は若くして未亡人となり、一人で二人の子供を育て上げた。その強い意志と愛情は、周囲の人々に深い感銘を与えた。困難な状況にもかかわらず、彼女は決して希望を失わなかった。
この文章から、未亡人になった女性がどのような人物であると読み取れますか？
文章には「強い意志と愛情」「決して希望を失わなかった」と明記されています。
文章には「強い意志と愛情」「決して希望を失わなかった」と明記されています。
昔の日本と現代社会における未亡人の生活状況について、最も適切な説明はどれですか？
Read this passage:
昔の日本では、夫に先立たれた未亡人は、その後の生活が非常に厳しくなることが多かった。しかし、現代社会では、社会的な支援や制度が整い、未亡人の生活環境は改善されつつある。
昔の日本と現代社会における未亡人の生活状況について、最も適切な説明はどれですか？
文章には「昔の日本では、夫に先立たれた未亡人は、その後の生活が非常に厳しくなることが多かった。しかし、現代社会では、社会的な支援や制度が整い、未亡人の生活環境は改善されつつある」と書かれています。
文章には「昔の日本では、夫に先立たれた未亡人は、その後の生活が非常に厳しくなることが多かった。しかし、現代社会では、社会的な支援や制度が整い、未亡人の生活環境は改善されつつある」と書かれています。
この未亡人はどのように日々を過ごしていますか？
Read this passage:
彼の母親は数年前に未亡人になったが、趣味のガーデニングやボランティア活動を通して、毎日を元気に過ごしている。彼女のポジティブな姿勢は、家族全員の支えとなっている。
この未亡人はどのように日々を過ごしていますか？
文章には「趣味のガーデニングやボランティア活動を通して、毎日を元気に過ごしている」とあります。
文章には「趣味のガーデニングやボランティア活動を通して、毎日を元気に過ごしている」とあります。
彼女は戦争で夫を亡くし、それ以来ずっと___として生きています。
The sentence describes a woman who lost her husband in the war and has been living as such ever since. '未亡人' (mibōjin) directly translates to 'widow,' fitting the context perfectly. '独身' (dokushin) means 'single,' '既婚' (kikon) means 'married,' and '寡婦' (kafu) is an archaic term for 'widow' but '未亡人' is the more common and appropriate modern term in this context.
彼の母親は若い頃に___となり、一人で子供を育てました。
The sentence indicates that his mother became something when she was young and raised her child alone. '未亡人' (mibōjin), meaning 'widow,' implies the loss of a husband, which would lead to raising a child alone. '妻' (tsuma) means 'wife,' '娘' (musume) means 'daughter,' and '女性' (josei) means 'woman,' none of which fit the specific context of a mother raising a child alone after losing a spouse.
その古い屋敷には、長年___が一人で住んでいると言われています。
The sentence describes an old mansion where someone has been living alone for many years. '未亡人' (mibōjin), meaning 'widow,' implies an older woman who has lost her husband and might live alone in an old house. '家族' (kazoku) means 'family,' '男性' (dansei) means 'man,' and '子供' (kodomo) means 'child,' none of which specifically convey the image of a solitary resident in an old house as strongly as '未亡人' in this context.
彼女はまだ若かったが、夫が事故で亡くなり、___として新しい人生を歩むことになった。
The sentence states that her husband died in an accident, and she had to embark on a new life. '未亡人' (mibōjin) accurately describes her status as a woman whose husband has died. '妻' (tsuma) means 'wife,' '独身女性' (dokushin josei) means 'single woman,' and '母親' (hahaoya) means 'mother,' but only '未亡人' directly reflects the specific circumstance of her husband's death and her subsequent status.
地域のコミュニティセンターでは、___のための支援グループが定期的に開催されています。
The sentence mentions that a support group is regularly held at the community center. Given the other options, '未亡人' (mibōjin) fits the context of a specific group of people who might need a support group due to a shared experience of loss. '高齢者' (kōreisha) means 'elderly people,' '学生' (gakusei) means 'students,' and '移民' (imin) means 'immigrants,' all of whom might have support groups, but '未亡人' is the most specific and appropriate choice for a group focused on those who have lost a spouse.
その映画は、戦争によって家族を失った___の苦悩を描いています。
The film depicts the suffering of someone who lost family due to war. While '兵士' (heishi - soldiers), '市民' (shimin - citizens), and '子供たち' (kodomotachi - children) could all suffer from war, '未亡人' (mibōjin) specifically refers to a woman who has lost her husband, a very common and poignant consequence of war, making it the most fitting and evocative choice for depicting 'suffering' in this context.
彼女は戦争で夫を亡くし、それ以来未亡人として生きています。
「未亡人」は夫を亡くした女性を指します。
村の長老である未亡人は、皆から尊敬されていました。
「未亡人」は夫を亡くした女性を指しますが、文脈から村の長老として尊敬されていることがわかります。
その古い屋敷には、亡くなった主人の未亡人が今も住んでいると言われています。
「未亡人」は夫を亡くした女性を指すので、この場合は亡くなった主人の妻を意味します。
「未亡人」は夫が生きている女性を指します。
「未亡人」は夫が亡くなった女性を指します。
「未亡人」という言葉は、男性には使われません。
「未亡人」は女性にのみ使われる言葉です。男性の場合は「寡夫（かふ）」などと言います。
昔の日本では、「未亡人」は再婚することが許されないことが多かった。
歴史的に、特に伝統的な社会では、未亡人の再婚は社会的に困難な場合が多かったです。
The sentence describes a woman living strongly as a widow after losing her husband.
This sentence mentions a group of widows in the community supporting each other.
The sentence talks about someone always caring for the widow.
Read this aloud:
未亡人という言葉は、特定の状況を指します。
Focus: みぼうじん (mibōjin)
तुमने कहा:
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Read this aloud:
未亡人の支援は社会の重要な役割です。
Focus: しえん (shien)
तुमने कहा:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
彼女は未亡人になった後も、活動的に社会に貢献しています。
Focus: こうけん (kōken)
तुमने कहा:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Imagine you are writing a letter of condolence to a Japanese friend whose mother recently became a 未亡人. What advice or support would you offer, considering Japanese cultural norms around grief and family?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
この度はお母様が未亡人となられたとのこと、心よりお悔やみ申し上げます。お母様にとって今は大変お辛い時期かと存じますが、どうかご無理なさらないでください。私にできることがあれば、いつでもお声がけください。微力ながら、お母様の心の支えとなれるよう尽力いたします。
You are a journalist reporting on a social issue in Japan: the challenges faced by 未亡人 in rural areas, specifically regarding financial independence and community support. Draft a paragraph summarizing these challenges.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
地方に暮らす未亡人たちは、夫の死後、経済的自立と地域社会からの孤立という二重の困難に直面することが少なくありません。特に、年金収入だけでは生活が苦しく、また、伝統的な共同体の変化により、かつてのような手厚い支援が得られにくくなっている現状があります。彼女たちの生活を支えるための新たな制度や、地域住民の意識改革が急務とされています。
Discuss the historical perception and social status of a 未亡人 in traditional Japanese society compared to modern Japanese society. Focus on how their roles and expectations have changed.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
伝統的な日本社会において、未亡人はしばしば夫の家の「残された者」として、その役割が限定される傾向にありました。再婚が困難であることや、経済的に自立することが難しい場合も多く、社会的な支援も手薄でした。しかし、現代社会では、女性の社会進出や個人の権利意識の高まりにより、未亡人に対する見方も大きく変化しています。多くの未亡人が自身のキャリアを継続したり、新しい人生を歩んだりすることが一般的になり、経済的自立や精神的支援の選択肢も増えています。
この文章から読み取れる、未亡人である「彼女」の主な特徴は何ですか？
Read this passage:
彼女は若くして未亡人となり、その後は女手一つで二人の子供を育て上げた。困難な状況にもかかわらず、彼女は常に前向きな姿勢を崩さず、子供たちに深い愛情を注いだ。その強い精神力と母親としての献身は、多くの人々に感銘を与えた。
この文章から読み取れる、未亡人である「彼女」の主な特徴は何ですか？
文章には「困難な状況にもかかわらず、彼女は常に前向きな姿勢を崩さず、子供たちに深い愛情を注いだ。その強い精神力と母親としての献身は、多くの人々に感銘を与えた。」とあります。
文章には「困難な状況にもかかわらず、彼女は常に前向きな姿勢を崩さず、子供たちに深い愛情を注いだ。その強い精神力と母親としての献身は、多くの人々に感銘を与えた。」とあります。
この文章が指摘する、現代日本における未亡人に関する課題は何ですか？
Read this passage:
近年の日本社会では、未亡人に対する偏見が薄れ、彼女たちが社会で活躍する場も増えています。しかし、地方部においては依然として古い慣習が残り、未亡人が地域コミュニティで孤立しがちな現状もあります。行政や地域住民による、よりきめ細やかな支援が求められています。
この文章が指摘する、現代日本における未亡人に関する課題は何ですか？
文章には「地方部においては依然として古い慣習が残り、未亡人が地域コミュニティで孤立しがちな現状もあります。」と明記されています。
文章には「地方部においては依然として古い慣習が残り、未亡人が地域コミュニティで孤立しがちな現状もあります。」と明記されています。
戦後の未亡人たちが直面した困難と、それに対する彼女たちの対応として正しいものはどれですか？
Read this passage:
戦争で夫を亡くした未亡人たちは、戦後の混乱期において、食料や住居の確保、子供たちの教育など、多岐にわたる困難に直面しました。しかし、彼女たちは互いに助け合い、共同で生活を再建する努力を重ねました。その苦難の歴史は、今日の平和な社会を築く上での貴重な教訓となっています。
戦後の未亡人たちが直面した困難と、それに対する彼女たちの対応として正しいものはどれですか？
文章には「食料や住居の確保、子供たちの教育など、多岐にわたる困難に直面しました。しかし、彼女たちは互いに助け合い、共同で生活を再建する努力を重ねました。」とあります。
文章には「食料や住居の確保、子供たちの教育など、多岐にわたる困難に直面しました。しかし、彼女たちは互いに助け合い、共同で生活を再建する努力を重ねました。」とあります。
This sentence means 'The widow is managing the company, carrying on her husband's will.' The particles and verb conjugations create a logical flow for the sentence structure.
This sentence translates to 'She said that she became a widow at a young age and experienced many hardships.' The phrase '若くして' (at a young age) modifies '未亡人となり' (became a widow).
This sentence means 'A local volunteer organization is supporting the life of the widow.' The possessive particle 'の' connects '未亡人' (widow) with '生活' (life).
彼女は戦争で夫を亡くし、それ以来ずっと一人で子供たちを育ててきた勇敢な未亡人です。
The sentence describes a woman who lost her husband in the war and raised her children alone, which fits the definition of 未亡人 (widow). 寡婦 is a more formal or literary term for widow, but 未亡人 is the common, direct term.
彼の祖母は若くして未亡人となり、その苦労は想像に難くない。
未亡人 specifically refers to a woman whose husband has died. The sentence indicates 'his grandmother became a widow young', which confirms this meaning.
その未亡人は、亡き夫の遺志を継ぎ、慈善事業に尽力している。
「亡き夫」clearly indicates that her husband has passed away. Therefore, 未亡人 refers to a woman whose husband has died, or '夫に先立たれた女性'.
「未亡人」は、夫に先立たれた男性を指す言葉である。
「未亡人」 specifically refers to a woman whose husband has died. The term for a man whose wife has died is 「寡夫」 (kafu) or 「やもめ」 (yamome).
彼女は夫が亡くなってから「未亡人」と呼ばれるようになった。
The term 「未亡人」 is used for a woman whose husband has died. So, it is correct that she would be called a 「未亡人」 after her husband's death.
「未亡人」という言葉は、現代日本語ではあまり使われなくなってきている。
While there might be alternative expressions, 「未亡人」 is still a commonly understood and used term in modern Japanese to refer to a widow. It is not considered obsolete.
Listen for how she lived after becoming a widow.
Listen for what the widow did to honor her husband's will.
Listen for how she maintained herself after her husband's passing.
Read this aloud:
未亡人となった彼女は、悲しみの中でも前向きに生きています。
Focus: 未亡人 (mibōjin)
तुमने कहा:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
地域の多くの人々が、その未亡人を支え、励ましました。
Focus: 未亡人 (mibōjin)
तुमने कहा:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
彼女は未亡人という立場に屈することなく、自立した女性として尊敬されています。
Focus: 未亡人 (mibōjin)
तुमने कहा:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
/ 138 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
未亡人 (mibōjin) is a formal term for a widow in Japanese.
- woman
- husband
- died
Basic Meaning
「未亡人」 (mibōjin) directly translates to widow. It refers to a woman whose husband has passed away.
Etymology Hint
The kanji are 未 (mi - not yet), 亡 (bō - deceased/lost), and 人 (jin - person). So, literally, it can be thought of as a 'person not yet deceased' (referring to the woman herself, despite her husband's passing), but it's used to mean widow.
Politeness Level
While correct, 「未亡人」 can sometimes sound a bit formal or even slightly old-fashioned. In casual conversation, people might use other phrasing or avoid the direct term.
Modern Usage
In contemporary Japanese, you might hear 「夫を亡くした女性」 (otto o nakushita josei - a woman who lost her husband) as a more neutral or descriptive phrase instead of the single word 「未亡人」, especially in more sensitive contexts. However, 「未亡人」 is still understood and used.
संबंधित सामग्री
यह शब्द अन्य भाषाओं में
family के और शब्द
還暦
B160th birthday (celebration of completing a 60-year cycle).
〜くらい
B1About; approximately; to the extent that.
認め合う
B1To recognize each other's worth; to acknowledge.
知人
B1Acquaintance.
顔見知り
A2Acquaintance; someone you know by sight.
甘える
B1To be spoiled, to fawn; to behave like a pampered child.
活発な
B1Active; lively; vigorous.
思春期
B1Adolescence; the period of transition from childhood to adulthood.
養子
B1Adopted child; a child taken into one's family by legal means.
養親
B2Adoptive parent.
