The term '夫妻' represents the collective unit of a husband and wife in a marriage.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Refers to a husband and wife as a couple.
- Used to describe a legal or social marriage relationship.
- Commonly paired with classifiers like '对' or '俩'.
Overview
- 1概述：夫妻是汉语中最基础的家庭称谓之一，由“夫”（丈夫）和“妻”（妻子）两个字组成，代表了社会中最基本的婚姻结合形式。2) 用法模式：该词通常用于描述两个人的关系状态，如“他们是夫妻”。在书面语或正式场合中，也常用于修饰与婚姻相关的活动，如“夫妻生活”、“夫妻关系”。3) 常见语境：它广泛出现在法律文件、社会调查、家庭对话以及文学作品中。例如，在填表时常有“夫妻人数”一栏；在社交中，人们常说“夫妻俩”来表示一对伴侣。4) 近义词辨析：与“配偶”相比，“夫妻”更具生活气息和情感色彩，“配偶”则多用于法律和正式统计语境；与“爱人”相比，“夫妻”强调的是法律和家庭身份，而“爱人”在不同地区（如中国大陆与港台）的含义有所差异，有时仅指代配偶，有时指代恋人。
Examples
他们是一对幸福的夫妻。
everydayThey are a happy couple.
王先生夫妇受邀参加了晚宴。
formalMr. and Mrs. Wang were invited to the banquet.
夫妻俩今天去超市买菜了。
informalThe couple went to the supermarket to buy groceries today.
该研究调查了夫妻间的沟通模式。
academicThe study investigated communication patterns between husbands and wives.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
夫妻同心
husband and wife of one mind
夫妻吵架
husband and wife quarreling
恩爱夫妻
a loving couple
Often Confused With
Refers specifically to a spouse in a legal sense. It is more formal and often used in official documents.
A formal variation of '夫妻'. It is often used when addressing or referring to a couple by their surname.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The term is neutral and widely used. '夫妻' is the standard term for husband and wife. Use '夫妇' for more formal settings or when referring to someone else's marriage.
Common Mistakes
Do not use '夫妻' to refer to a single person. Do not use '一个夫妻' as it is grammatically incorrect. Remember to use '一对' as the measure word.
Tips
Use '对' as the classifier
When counting couples, always use the measure word '对'. For example, say '一对夫妻' instead of just '夫妻'.
Avoid using it for individuals
Never refer to one person as '夫妻'. It is a collective noun requiring two people.
Traditional values in naming
The term reflects the traditional Chinese view of marriage as a unified partnership. It emphasizes the bond between the two individuals.
Word Origin
Derived from the ancient Chinese characters for man (夫) and woman (妻). It has historically represented the fundamental unit of the family structure in Confucian society.
Cultural Context
In Chinese culture, the '夫妻' relationship is considered the foundation of the family (家). It emphasizes mutual support and shared responsibility.
Memory Tip
Think of '夫' as the husband (the big man) and '妻' as the wife (the woman), together forming the '夫妻' unit. Imagine them standing side by side as a pair.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions这两个词意思基本相同，“夫妻”在口语中使用频率更高，“夫妇”则略显正式，多用于书面语或称呼他人时，如“张先生夫妇”。
不可以，“夫妻”必须指代两个人，即丈夫和妻子。如果指代个人，应使用“丈夫”或“妻子”。
最常用的量词是“对”，即“一对夫妻”。在口语中也常说“夫妻俩”。
通常情况下，“夫妻”特指已婚人士。在法律语境下，它必须具备结婚证明。
Test Yourself
他们结婚十年了，是一对非常恩爱的___。
根据上下文“结婚十年”和“恩爱”，应使用表示婚姻关系的“夫妻”。
下列哪个说法是正确的？
“夫妻”是集合名词，不能用“一个”或“我的”来修饰单个人。
请根据提示完成句子：他们 / 是一对 / 夫妻 / 模范。
正确的语序是主语+是+数量短语+定语+名词。
Score: /3
Summary
The term '夫妻' represents the collective unit of a husband and wife in a marriage.
- Refers to a husband and wife as a couple.
- Used to describe a legal or social marriage relationship.
- Commonly paired with classifiers like '对' or '俩'.
Use '对' as the classifier
When counting couples, always use the measure word '对'. For example, say '一对夫妻' instead of just '夫妻'.
Avoid using it for individuals
Never refer to one person as '夫妻'. It is a collective noun requiring two people.
Traditional values in naming
The term reflects the traditional Chinese view of marriage as a unified partnership. It emphasizes the bond between the two individuals.
Examples
4 of 4他们是一对幸福的夫妻。
They are a happy couple.
王先生夫妇受邀参加了晚宴。
Mr. and Mrs. Wang were invited to the banquet.
夫妻俩今天去超市买菜了。
The couple went to the supermarket to buy groceries today.
该研究调查了夫妻间的沟通模式。
The study investigated communication patterns between husbands and wives.
