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B1 noun #7,000 most common 8 min read

夫婦仲

fufunaka Top 7,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 夫婦仲 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 夫婦仲 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should know that 'fūfu' means husband and wife, and 'naka' means the relationship between people. You might use simple sentences like 'Fūfunaka ga ii desu' (The couple gets along well). You don't need to worry about complex nuances yet, just recognize that this word describes if a married couple is happy together or not. Think of it as 'couple friendship'.

At the A2 level, you can start using 'fūfunaka' with basic particles and verbs. You might say 'Fūfunaka ga waruku narimashita' (The marital relationship became bad). You can use it to describe your own parents or characters in a story. You should recognize that 'naka' is the same 'naka' as in 'nakayoshi' (close friends), which helps you remember that it's about the emotional connection.

At the B1 level (the target level for this word), you should be able to discuss the reasons *why* a 'fūfunaka' might change. You can use it in sentences like 'Kaji o tetsudau to, fūfunaka ga yoku naru' (If you help with housework, the marital relationship gets better). You should also be comfortable using it in both polite (desu/masu) and casual forms, and understand its use in advice or social contexts.

At the B2 level, you can use more abstract verbs and nouns with 'fūfunaka'. You might talk about 'fūfunaka o shūfuku suru' (repairing the relationship) or 'fūfunaka ni kiretsu ga hairu' (a crack entering the relationship). You can also understand the word in news articles or social commentaries about marriage trends in Japan, such as 'fūfunaka no akka' (deterioration of marital relations).

At the C1 level, you should understand the subtle cultural implications of 'fūfunaka', such as the concept of 'kamen fūfu' (mask couples) or the pressure to maintain a 'fūfu enman' (harmonious) appearance. You can discuss complex psychological aspects of marital dynamics and use the word in formal debates or academic writing about family sociology or law.

At the C2 level, you have a masterly grasp of the term, including its historical evolution and literary uses. You can appreciate the nuance of 'fūfunaka' in classical literature versus modern slang and can use it with perfect precision in high-level diplomatic or legal contexts. You understand how the term fits into the broader Japanese ethos of interpersonal harmony (wa).

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

夫婦仲 in 30 Seconds

Refers specifically to the emotional bond between a husband and wife.
Commonly used with adjectives like 'good' (ii) or 'bad' (warui).
Essential for discussing family life, gossip, or marital counseling in Japan.
Distinguished from 'kekkon' (marriage) which refers to the legal status.

The Japanese word 夫婦仲 (ふうふなか - fūfunaka) is a compound noun that specifically refers to the quality of the relationship, emotional bond, or state of harmony between a husband and wife. While the English word 'marriage' often refers to the legal institution or the ceremony, 夫婦仲 focuses exclusively on the interpersonal dynamics within that marriage. It is a vital term in Japanese social discourse because it allows speakers to describe the health of a union without necessarily discussing legal status or household logistics. When Japanese people speak of 夫婦仲, they are looking at the 'temperature' of the relationship—is it warm and supportive, or cold and distant?

Etymological Breakdown: The term consists of three kanji: 夫 (fū) meaning husband, 婦 (fu) meaning wife, and 仲 (naka) meaning relationship or 'inside/middle'. Together, they literally mean 'the relationship between husband and wife'.

In daily conversation, you will most frequently hear this word paired with adjectives like ii (good) or warui (bad). For example, saying '夫婦仲がいい' (fūfunaka ga ii) means the couple gets along very well, often implying they are seen together frequently or speak kindly of one another. Conversely, '夫婦仲が悪い' (fūfunaka ga warui) suggests a strained or failing relationship. This word is not just for casual gossip; it is used in psychological counseling, sociological surveys, and news reports regarding Japan's declining birthrate or the rise of 'retired husband syndrome'.

最近、両親はとても夫婦仲が良いようです。
(Lately, my parents seem to have a very good marital relationship.)

The nuance of 仲 (naka) is particularly important here. In Japanese, naka suggests a shared internal space. To have good naka is to share a harmonious space with another person. Therefore, 夫婦仲 encompasses everything from communication styles to shared hobbies and even sexual intimacy, though it is usually used to describe the general atmosphere of the home. In a culture that values 'wa' (harmony), the state of one's 夫婦仲 is often considered a reflection of one's character and stability.

Societal Context: In modern Japan, the concept of 夫婦仲 is evolving. Traditionally, roles were strictly divided (husband as breadwinner, wife as homemaker), and 'good' marital relations were defined by the smooth functioning of this division. Today, there is a greater emphasis on emotional intimacy and partnership, making the term more relevant than ever in discussions about modern lifestyle choices.

夫婦仲を保つ秘訣は何ですか？
(What is the secret to maintaining a good marital relationship?)

Using 夫婦仲 correctly requires understanding its grammatical role as a noun that usually functions as the subject or object of a sentence describing a state. It is almost never used as a verb. Instead, it is modified by adjectives or used with verbs like reikomu (to cool down) or shūfuku suru (to repair). Because it refers to the relationship *between* two people, it is naturally plural in concept, even though Japanese doesn't use plural markers.

Common Adjective Pairings: 良い (ii): Good/Harmonious.
悪い (warui): Bad/Strained.
円満な (enman-na): Peaceful/Happy.
険悪な (ken-aku-na): Hostile/Thorny.

When you want to say that marital relations are improving or deteriorating, you use verbs like yoku naru (become good) or akka suru (worsen). For example, '子供が生まれてから夫婦仲が悪化した' (The marital relationship worsened after the child was born). This sentence structure is common in advice columns and social media discussions where people vent about domestic frustrations.

定年退職後、夫婦仲がぎくしゃくし始めた。
(After retirement, the relationship between the husband and wife started to become awkward.)

Another sophisticated way to use this word is with the particle o to indicate an action taken upon the relationship. '夫婦仲を深める' (fūfunaka o fukameru) means to deepen the bond. This is often used in the context of travel, shared hobbies, or counseling. '夫婦仲を修復する' (fūfunaka o shūfuku suru) is a common phrase for 'repairing' a marriage after a conflict or affair.

Grammatical Patterns: 1. [Person A] と [Person B] は夫婦仲が良い。
2. 夫婦仲に亀裂が入る (A crack forms in the marital bond).
3. 夫婦仲を円満に保つコツ (Tips for keeping a marriage peaceful).

彼は夫婦仲の悩みについて友人に相談した。
(He consulted his friend about his marital relationship problems.)

If you watch Japanese morning talk shows (wide shows) or read weekly magazines (shukan-shi), you will encounter 夫婦仲 almost daily. It is the bread and butter of celebrity gossip. Reporters often speculate on the fūfunaka of famous actors, looking for signs of 'reikyaku-kikan' (cooling-off periods) or impending divorce. In this context, it is often used as a headline hook: '〇〇さん夫妻、夫婦仲に暗雲？' (Dark clouds over Mr. and Mrs. XX's marital relations?).

In Modern Media: In Japanese TV dramas (ren'ai dorama), the fūfunaka of supporting characters often provides a subplot that reflects or contrasts with the main characters' romance. It is also a frequent topic on 'Women's Forums' like Komachi or Yahoo! Chiebukuro, where users seek advice on how to improve their relationships.

In a more professional or academic setting, sociologists use 夫婦仲 when discussing the 'quality of life' (QOL) of the elderly. As Japan ages, the 'fūfunaka' of retired couples becomes a significant health factor. Studies often link 'good 夫婦仲' to longevity and lower rates of depression. You might hear a doctor or therapist say, '夫婦仲の安定が、精神的な健康に繋がります' (Stability in marital relations leads to mental health).

テレビのアンケートで、夫婦仲を円満にする秘訣が特集されていた。
(On a TV survey, they featured secrets to keeping marital relations harmonious.)

You will also hear this word during traditional Japanese weddings or anniversaries. A guest giving a speech might wish the couple 'Eien ni 夫婦仲が円満でありますように' (May your marital relations be peaceful forever). It is a standard part of the vocabulary for formal blessings. In daily life, it's also a way to politely ask about someone's family without being too intrusive, e.g., 'ご夫婦仲はいかがですか？' (How are things between you and your spouse?).

あの二人は、近所でも評判の夫婦仲が良いカップルだ。
(Those two are a couple famous in the neighborhood for their good marital relationship.)

The most common mistake English speakers make is confusing 夫婦仲 with the general word for marriage, 結婚 (kekkon). While 'kekkon' is the event or the status, 'fūfunaka' is the internal feeling. You cannot say 'I want to have a fūfunaka' (fūfunaka ga shitai) when you mean you want to get married. You must use 'kekkon shitai'. 夫婦仲 is a noun that describes a pre-existing condition between two people who are already married.

Mistake: Confusing 'Status' with 'Quality': Incorrect: 夫婦仲をします (I will do marital relations).
Correct: 結婚します (I will get married).
Correct: 夫婦仲を良くします (I will improve our marital relations).

Another mistake involves the use of the particle no. Students often try to say 'my husband's relationship' as otto no fūfunaka. This is redundant and logically confusing because fūfunaka already includes both the husband and wife. The correct way to refer to your own relationship is simply '私たちの夫婦仲' (watashitachi no fūfunaka) or '夫婦の仲' (fūfu no naka).

❌ 夫婦仲を結婚した。
✅ 夫婦仲が良い状態で結婚生活を送っている。
(Living married life with a good marital relationship.)

Finally, avoid using 夫婦仲 for unmarried couples. Even if they have lived together for twenty years, the term implies the legal or social status of 'fūfu' (husband and wife). For unmarried couples, use 二人の仲 (futari no naka) or 交際関係 (kōsai kankei). Using fūfunaka for a boyfriend and girlfriend sounds like you are assuming they are already married, which can be awkward.

Summary of Usage Errors: 1. Using it to mean the wedding ceremony.
2. Using it for dating couples.
3. Forgetting the 'ga' or 'no' particles when describing the state.

While 夫婦仲 is the most common and versatile term, there are several other words that cover similar ground but with different nuances. Understanding these will help you sound more natural and precise in Japanese.

夫婦仲 vs. 夫婦関係 (Fūfu Kankei): 夫婦関係 is more formal and clinical. It is often used in legal documents, sociology, or when discussing the 'structure' of the marriage. 夫婦仲 is more emotional and subjective. You would use kankei to talk about legal rights, but naka to talk about whether they fight or not.
夫婦仲 vs. 円満 (Enman): 円満 specifically means 'harmonious' or 'peaceful'. It is an adjective/noun used to describe a *perfect* 夫婦仲. You often see '夫婦円満' (fūfu enman) as a four-character idiom (yojijukugo) on charms at shrines.

Another interesting term is 仮面夫婦 (kamen fūfu), which literally translates to 'mask couple'. This describes a situation where the fūfunaka is actually terrible or non-existent, but the couple pretends to be happy in public for the sake of children or social reputation. This is a very common term in social commentary about Japanese society.

彼らは一見仲が良さそうだが、実は仮面夫婦だという噂だ。
(They look like they get along at first glance, but rumor has it they are a 'mask couple'.)

Finally, we have おしどり夫婦 (oshidori fūfu). This refers to mandarin ducks, which are believed in East Asia to mate for life and remain inseparable. Calling a couple 'oshidori fūfu' is the highest praise for their fūfunaka. It implies they are always together and deeply in love even after many years of marriage.

Comparison Table: - 夫婦仲: General term for marital bond (emotional).
- 夫婦関係: Formal/Legal term for marital relationship.
- 夫婦円満: The ideal state of a happy marriage.
- アツアツ (atsu-atsu): Slang for a 'lovey-dovey' couple (hot-hot).

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The kanji for 'wife' (婦) contains the radical for 'woman' and 'broom', reflecting ancient gender roles, while 'husband' (夫) depicts a man with a hairclip, signifying adulthood.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /fuːfuːnaka/

US /fuːfuːnɑːkə/

The stress is relatively flat, as is common in Japanese, but a slight drop in pitch often occurs after the 'fu' sounds.

Rhymes With

Naka (Inside) Baka (Foolish) Taka (Hawk) Saka (Slope) Waka (Poetry) Kaka (Mother/Old slang) Haka (Grave) Maka (Extraordinary)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'fu' like the English 'foo' (it should be a softer sound made by blowing between lips).
Shortening the long 'ū' sounds in 'fūfu'.
Confusing the pitch of 'naka' (middle) with other homophones.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

The kanji are common, but '婦' can be tricky for beginners.

Writing 4/5

Writing '婦' requires practice with the 'broom' radical.

Speaking 2/5

Pronunciation is straightforward with long vowels.

Listening 2/5

Easily recognizable in conversation due to the distinct 'fūfu' sound.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

夫婦仲良い悪い

Learn Next

円満修復改善離婚家族

Advanced

阿吽の呼吸仮面夫婦倦怠期熟年離婚糟糠の妻

Grammar to Know

Noun + ga + Adjective

夫婦仲が良い。

Noun + o + Verb

夫婦仲を深める。

Te-form for reason

喧嘩して夫婦仲が悪くなった。

Koto de (By means of)

話し合うことで夫婦仲が改善した。

No tame ni (For the sake of)

夫婦仲のために旅行に行く。

Examples by Level

夫婦仲が良いです。

The husband and wife get along well.

Subject + ga + ii (adjective).

夫婦仲はどうですか？

How is the marital relationship?

Dō desu ka is used for asking status.

父と母は夫婦仲が良いです。

My father and mother have a good relationship.

Topic + wa + state.

夫婦仲が悪いと悲しいです。

It is sad when marital relations are bad.

Conditional 'to' + emotion.

あの二人は夫婦仲が良い。

Those two have a good marital relationship.

Casual sentence ending.

夫婦仲は大切です。

Marital relations are important.

Taisetsu is a na-adjective.

夫婦仲が良くなりました。

The marital relationship became better.

Yoku naru (to become good).

夫婦仲を良くしたいです。

I want to make the marital relationship better.

Tai form (want to).

旅行に行って、夫婦仲が良くなった。

Going on a trip made the marital relationship better.

Te-form for reason/sequence.

夫婦仲を円満に保つのは難しい。

Maintaining a harmonious marital relationship is difficult.

No wa (nominalizer).

彼は夫婦仲について悩んでいる。

He is worried about his marital relationship.

Ni tsuite (about).

夫婦仲が良い家族は幸せだ。

Families with good marital relations are happy.

Noun modification clause.

喧嘩をしても、すぐに夫婦仲は戻る。

Even if they fight, the marital relationship returns to normal quickly.

Te-mo (even if).

夫婦仲が悪くなる原因は何ですか？

What is the cause of marital relations becoming bad?

Genzin (cause).

最近、夫婦仲が冷めてきた。

Lately, the marital relationship has been cooling down.

Te-kita (started to/becoming).

プレゼントで夫婦仲を深める。

Deepen the marital bond with a present.

De (means/method).

夫婦仲を修復するために、カウンセリングを受けた。

They received counseling to repair their marital relationship.

Tame ni (in order to).

家事を分担することで、夫婦仲が改善した。

By sharing housework, the marital relationship improved.

Koto de (by means of).

夫婦仲の良さが、子供の成長に影響する。

The quality of marital relations affects a child's growth.

Sa (suffix to turn adjective to noun).

共働きの家庭では、夫婦仲を保つ努力が必要だ。

In dual-income households, effort to maintain marital relations is necessary.

Hitsuyō (necessity).

彼は、夫婦仲が良いことを自慢している。

He is boasting about having a good marital relationship.

Koto o jiman suru (boast about).

夫婦仲が悪化すると、離婚を考える人もいる。

When marital relations worsen, some people consider divorce.

To (conditional).

週末のデートが、夫婦仲を円満にする秘訣だ。

Weekend dates are the secret to keeping marital relations harmonious.

Hiketsu (secret/key).

些細なことがきっかけで、夫婦仲が壊れることもある。

A marital relationship can break due to a trivial matter.

Koto mo aru (sometimes happens).

経済的な問題が、夫婦仲に深刻な影を落としている。

Economic problems are casting a serious shadow on the marital relationship.

Kage o otosu (metaphorical).

彼女は夫婦仲の悩みを誰にも打ち明けられなかった。

She couldn't confide her marital troubles to anyone.

Potential negative form.

夫婦仲を円満に保つためのコミュニケーション術を学ぶ。

Learn communication techniques to maintain harmonious marital relations.

No tame no (for the purpose of).

長年連れ添った夫婦でも、夫婦仲が冷え切ることがある。

Even for couples together many years, the relationship can cool completely.

Hiekiru (to cool completely).

夫婦仲を改善する第一歩は、感謝の言葉を伝えることだ。

The first step to improving marital relations is expressing words of gratitude.

Dai-ippo (the first step).

周囲からは夫婦仲が良いと思われていたが、実は冷え切っていた。

Everyone around them thought they had a good relationship, but it had actually cooled.

Passive voice + gyaku-setsu (contrast).

夫婦仲の危機を乗り越えて、絆がより強まった。

After overcoming a crisis in their marital relations, their bond grew stronger.

Norikoete (overcoming).

育児への無関心が、夫婦仲を悪化させる一因となる。

Indifference to childcare becomes one factor that worsens marital relations.

Ichi-in (one cause).

夫婦仲の不和が、子供の心理的発達に及ぼす影響は無視できない。

The impact of marital discord on a child's psychological development cannot be ignored.

Mushi dekinai (cannot ignore).

仮面夫婦を演じ続けることは、夫婦仲にとって健全ではない。

Continuing to play at being a 'mask couple' is not healthy for marital relations.

Kenzen dewa nai (not healthy).

夫婦仲の修復には、双方の歩み寄りが不可欠である。

For the restoration of marital relations, compromise from both sides is indispensable.

Fukaketsu (indispensable).

熟年離婚の背景には、長年にわたる夫婦仲の冷え込みがある。

Behind 'late-life divorce' lies the cooling of marital relations over many years.

Ni wataru (spanning over).

夫婦仲を維持するためには、個人のアイデンティティを尊重し合うことが肝要だ。

To maintain marital relations, it is vital to respect each other's individual identities.

Kan'yō (vital/essential).

社会構造の変化が、伝統的な夫婦仲の在り方に一石を投じている。

Changes in social structure are challenging the traditional state of marital relations.

Isseki o tōjiru (to cast a stone/provoke debate).

夫婦仲の良し悪しは、家庭内の幸福度を左右する決定的な要因だ。

Whether marital relations are good or bad is a decisive factor that dictates the level of happiness in a home.

Sayū suru (to influence/dictate).

夫婦仲を単なる契約関係と捉えるか、情緒的絆と捉えるかで対応は変わる。

The response changes depending on whether one views marital relations as a mere contractual relationship or an emotional bond.

To toraeru (to perceive as).

夫婦仲の機微を捉えたその小説は、多くの読者の共感を呼んだ。

The novel, which captured the subtleties of marital relations, resonated with many readers.

Kibi (subtleties/nuances).

夫婦仲を円滑にするための、阿吽の呼吸とも言える暗黙の了解が存在する。

There exists a tacit understanding, akin to 'aun no kokyu' (perfect synchronization), to keep marital relations smooth.

Aun no kokyū (idiom for perfect sync).

夫婦仲の変遷を辿ることで、近代家族の成立過程を考察する。

By tracing the transitions in marital relations, we examine the process of the formation of the modern family.

Hensen (transitions/changes).

夫婦仲の破綻が不可避となった場合、法的な解決策が模索される。

When the breakdown of marital relations becomes inevitable, legal solutions are sought.

Fukahi (inevitable).

夫婦仲の良さを『おしどり夫婦』と形容するのは、東アジア特有の文化的比喩である。

Describing good marital relations as 'oshidori fūfu' is a cultural metaphor unique to East Asia.

Keiyō suru (to describe/epitomize).

夫婦仲における権力構造の不均衡が、家庭内暴力の温床となり得る。

Imbalances in the power structure within marital relations can become a breeding ground for domestic violence.

Onshō (breeding ground/hotbed).

夫婦仲を深化させるプロセスは、自己と他者の境界を再定義する作業でもある。

The process of deepening marital relations is also a task of redefining the boundaries between self and other.

Sa-teigi (redefinition).

夫婦仲の円満を象徴する吉祥文様が、伝統的な婚礼衣装に施されている。

Auspicious patterns symbolizing harmonious marital relations are applied to traditional wedding garments.

Kisshō mon'yō (auspicious pattern).

Common Collocations

夫婦仲が良い

夫婦仲が悪い

夫婦仲を深める

夫婦仲を修復する

夫婦仲を保つ

夫婦仲の悩み

夫婦仲に亀裂が入る

夫婦仲が冷え込む

夫婦仲の改善

夫婦仲が円満だ

Common Phrases

夫婦仲を円満にする

— To make the marital relationship harmonious.

夫婦仲を円満にするための努力。

夫婦仲が悪化する

— The marital relationship is getting worse.

些細なことで夫婦仲が悪化した。

夫婦仲が冷める

— The spark or love in the marriage is fading.

結婚十年で夫婦仲が冷めてしまった。

夫婦仲を取り持つ

— To act as a mediator between husband and wife.

子供が二人の夫婦仲を取り持った。

夫婦仲の危機

— A crisis in the marital relationship.

今、私たちの夫婦仲は危機にある。

夫婦仲がギクシャクする

— The relationship is awkward or strained.

喧嘩の後、夫婦仲がギクシャクしている。

夫婦仲を自慢する

— To brag about how well one gets along with their spouse.

彼女はいつも夫婦仲を自慢している。

夫婦仲を疑う

— To doubt the quality of a couple's relationship.

周囲は彼らの夫婦仲を疑い始めた。

夫婦仲を修復したい

— I want to repair our marital relationship.

何とかして夫婦仲を修復したい。

夫婦仲が良い秘訣

— The secret to a good marital relationship.

夫婦仲が良い秘訣は何ですか？

Often Confused With

夫婦仲 vs 結婚 (Kekkon)

Kekkon is the status/event; Fūfunaka is the quality of the bond.

夫婦仲 vs 仲良し (Nakayoshi)

Nakayoshi is usually for friends or children; Fūfunaka is specific to spouses.

夫婦仲 vs 付き合い (Tsuki-ai)

Tsuki-ai refers to dating or social association, not necessarily marriage.

Idioms & Expressions

"おしどり夫婦"

— A couple that is always together and very close, like mandarin ducks.

近所でも有名なおしどり夫婦だ。

Idiomatic

"仮面夫婦"

— A couple that pretends to be happy in public but has a bad relationship in private.

実は彼らは仮面夫婦らしい。

Social/Informal

"割れ鍋に綴じ蓋"

— Every jack has his Jill; even a broken pot has a lid (a well-matched couple).

あの二人は割れ鍋に綴じ蓋で、夫婦仲が良い。

Proverb

"夫婦喧嘩は犬も食わない"

— One should not interfere in a lover's quarrel (it's too trivial for even a dog to eat).

夫婦喧嘩は犬も食わないと言うから、放っておこう。

Proverb

"阿吽の呼吸"

— Being in perfect sync with each other.

夫婦仲が良い二人は阿吽の呼吸で家事をする。

Idiomatic

"比翼の鳥"

— Two birds with one wing each (a metaphor for an inseparable couple).

比翼の鳥のように仲が良い夫婦だ。

Literary

"連理の枝"

— Branches that have grown together (metaphor for eternal marital love).

夫婦仲の象徴として連理の枝が描かれる。

Literary

"糟糠の妻"

— A wife who has shared her husband's hardships (implying a strong bond).

彼は糟糠の妻を大切にしており、夫婦仲が良い。

Idiomatic

"倦怠期"

— The 'rut' or 'stale period' in a long-term relationship.

倦怠期に入って夫婦仲が少し冷めた。

Common

"空気のような存在"

— Being like air (so comfortable and essential you don't notice them).

夫婦仲が良すぎて、お互い空気のような存在だ。

Metaphor

Easily Confused

夫婦仲 vs 夫婦関係 (Fūfu Kankei)

Both mean marital relationship.

Fūfu Kankei is more objective/legal; Fūfunaka is more subjective/emotional.

夫婦関係の法的義務 (Legal duties of marriage).

夫婦仲 vs 家族仲 (Kazokunaka)

Both describe family harmony.

Kazokunaka includes children and relatives; Fūfunaka is only the couple.

家族仲が良い家 (A home where the whole family gets along).

夫婦仲 vs 仲 (Naka)

It's the root of the word.

Naka is general; Fūfunaka is specific to married couples.

友達との仲 (Relationship with friends).

夫婦仲 vs 円満 (Enman)

Often used together.

Enman is an adjective meaning 'peaceful'; Fūfunaka is the noun being described.

夫婦仲が円満だ (The marital relationship is harmonious).

夫婦仲 vs 相性 (Aishō)

Both relate to how people get along.

Aishō is 'compatibility' (innate); Fūfunaka is the 'actual state' (developed).

二人は相性が良い (Those two are compatible).

Sentence Patterns

[A]と[B]は夫婦仲が良い。

田中さんと奥さんは夫婦仲が良い。

夫婦仲が[Adjective]なる。

夫婦仲が悪くなる。

[Action]ことで、夫婦仲が[Result]。

会話を増やすことで、夫婦仲が改善した。

夫婦仲を[Verb]ために[Action]。

夫婦仲を深めるためにデートをする。

夫婦仲に[Noun]が入る/生じる。

夫婦仲に亀裂が入る。

夫婦仲が[Verb-stem]切る。

夫婦仲が冷え切る。

夫婦仲の[Abstract Noun]が[Verb]。

夫婦仲の不和が深刻化する。

夫婦仲を[Metaphor]と形容する。

夫婦仲をおしどり夫婦と形容する。

Word Family

Nouns

夫婦 (Married couple)

仲 (Relationship)

仲良し (Close friend)

仲間 (Comrade)

Verbs

仲良くする (To get along)

仲直りする (To make up)

Adjectives

仲が良い (Good relationship)

仲睦まじい (Harmonious)

結婚 (Marriage)

離婚 (Divorce)

家庭 (Household)

伴侶 (Spouse/Partner)

配偶者 (Spouse - legal)

How to Use It

frequency

Highly frequent in discussions about family, social issues, and entertainment news.

Common Mistakes

Using it for unmarried couples. → 二人の仲 (Futari no naka)
Fūfunaka implies a legal or socially recognized marriage.
Saying 'Fūfunaka o kekkon suru'. → 結婚する (Kekkon suru)
You cannot 'do' a relationship quality; you 'do' the act of marriage.
Confusing 'fūfunaka' with 'fūfu'. → 夫婦 (The couple themselves)
Fūfu refers to the people; fūfunaka refers to the bond between them.
Forgetting the long 'ū' sounds. → Fūfunaka
Shortening the vowels can make the word unrecognizable or sound like slang.
Using 'fūfunaka' to mean a wedding ceremony. → 結婚式 (Kekkonshiki)
Marital relations occur after the ceremony, not during it.

Tips

Be Specific

Always use 'fūfunaka' when you want to emphasize the emotional bond rather than the legal status of marriage.

Oshidori Fūfu

Learn the term 'Oshidori Fūfu' to impress Japanese people when describing a very happy couple.

Particle Choice

Use 'ga' for states (ga ii) and 'o' for actions (o shūfuku suru).

Politeness

Add 'Go-' to the front (Gofūfunaka) to be extra polite when talking about someone else's marriage.

Compound Words

Combine it with 'enman' to create 'fūfu enman', a common goal for many Japanese families.

Kanji Practice

The kanji 婦 is common in words like 'shufu' (housewife), so learning it helps with many other words.

Context Clues

If you hear 'naka' in a conversation about a couple, it's almost always about their relationship quality.

Expressing Worry

Say 'Fūfunaka no koto de nayandeimasu' if you need to talk about marital troubles.

Kanji Roots

Remember that 'naka' means middle, representing the space shared by two people.

CEFR B1 Goal

Aim to use this word to describe complex family dynamics in your Japanese speech.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Fufu' (the sound of a happy couple laughing) and 'Naka' (the relationship inside the house).

Visual Association

Imagine two people (husband and wife) standing inside a heart-shaped 'naka' (middle).

Word Web

Husband Wife Harmony Home Conflict Bond Intimacy Communication

Challenge

Try to describe the 夫婦仲 of a famous movie couple using only Japanese adjectives.

Word Origin

Derived from the combination of 'Fūfu' (husband and wife) and 'Naka' (middle/relationship).

Original meaning: The space or dynamic that exists between a husband and wife.

Sino-Japanese (Kango) roots for 'Fūfu' and Native Japanese (Yamato Kotoba) root for 'Naka'.

Cultural Context

Be careful when asking about 夫婦仲, as it can be a sensitive topic if the couple is having issues.

Westerners often prioritize individual happiness in marriage, whereas Japanese 夫婦仲 is often discussed in terms of family stability.

Good Couple Day (November 22nd) Oshidori Fūfu (Mandarin Duck metaphor) Narita Rikon (Divorcing right after the honeymoon)

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Gossip/Socializing

夫婦仲が良い
夫婦仲が悪いらしい
夫婦仲が冷めている
夫婦仲を疑う

Counseling/Advice

夫婦仲を修復したい
夫婦仲の悩み
夫婦仲を改善する
夫婦仲の危機

Celebrations

夫婦仲円満
末永く夫婦仲良く
おしどり夫婦
夫婦仲の秘訣

Sociology/News

夫婦仲の変遷
夫婦仲のakka
夫婦仲と幸福度
夫婦仲の統計

Literature/Drama

夫婦仲の機微
冷え切った夫婦仲
夫婦仲を取り持つ
夫婦仲の崩壊

Conversation Starters

"夫婦仲を円満に保つための秘訣は何だと思いますか？"

"最近、夫婦仲が良い有名人といえば誰を思い浮かべますか？"

"夫婦仲が悪くなった時、どうやって仲直りしますか？"

"理想の夫婦仲とはどのようなものだと思いますか？"

"共通の趣味を持つことは、夫婦仲に良い影響を与えると思いますか？"

Journal Prompts

あなたの両親の夫婦仲について、子供の頃の思い出を書いてください。

もしあなたが結婚しているなら、現在の夫婦仲を10点満点で評価し、その理由を書いてください。

夫婦仲を改善するために、今日からできる小さなことを3つ挙げてください。

『仮面夫婦』という言葉について、あなたの考えを日本語で述べてください。

理想の夫婦仲を築くために、パートナーに求める最も重要な資質は何ですか？

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, as long as they are considered 'fūfu' (spouses/married couple), the term applies to the quality of their relationship.

It can be personal. It's better to ask 'Gokazoku wa ogenki desu ka?' (Is your family well?) unless you are close friends.

The most direct opposite is 'fūfunaka ga warui' (bad marital relations).

No, use 'futari no naka' or 'kōsai kankei'. 'Fūfu' strictly implies marriage.

Rarely, unless discussing work-life balance or personal reasons for a leave of absence.

Use 'fūfunaka o yoku suru' or 'fūfunaka o kaizen suru'.

It means the relationship has become completely cold and devoid of affection.

Yes, '夫婦仲' is the standard way to write it.

Usually, you would say 'moto-fūfu no naka' (relationship between the former couple).

It's November 22nd (11/22), a day to celebrate good marital relations.