When we talk about someone's 配偶 (pèi'ǒu), we're talking about their spouse. This is a very direct and common way to refer to a husband or wife in Chinese. It’s like saying 'partner in marriage'. You’ll hear this word often in formal situations, but it's also used in everyday conversation. It's a useful word to know when discussing family or marital status.
When talking about someone's husband or wife, the most common and polite term in Chinese is 配偶 (pèi'ǒu). This word is a formal and neutral way to refer to a spouse, much like 'spouse' in English. It can be used for either a husband or a wife, making it a very versatile term. You'll often see it on official documents or in formal settings. While there are other, more specific terms like 丈夫 (zhàngfu) for husband and 妻子 (qīzi) for wife, 配偶 covers both.
When talking about married partners in Chinese, there are several options, and 配偶 (pèi'ǒu) is one of the most formal. It directly translates to 'spouse' and is often used in official contexts like legal documents, surveys, or formal discussions.
While you might hear 配偶 in everyday conversation, it's less common than using terms like 丈夫 (zhàngfu) for husband or 妻子 (qīzi) for wife, or simply referring to someone as 爱人 (àiren), which means 'lover' but is often used to mean spouse or partner in a more general, affectionate sense.
For example, if you're filling out a form, you'll likely see a field for 配偶. In contrast, if you're introducing your husband or wife to a friend, you'd probably say '这是我丈夫' (Zhè shì wǒ zhàngfu - This is my husband) or '这是我妻子' (Zhè shì wǒ qīzi - This is my wife).
Understanding 配偶 is important because it's the standard, formal term. However, be aware that in casual speech, other terms are more frequently used to discuss one's married partner.
When talking about marriage in Chinese, you'll often encounter the word 配偶 (pèi'ǒu). This term means 'spouse' and is a neutral and formal way to refer to one's husband or wife.
It's commonly used in official documents, legal contexts, and formal discussions about marital status. While you might use 'husband' (丈夫, zhàngfu) or 'wife' (妻子, qīzi) in everyday conversation, 配偶 serves as a convenient umbrella term for both.
For example, if someone asks about your 配偶, they are inquiring about your husband or wife. It's a straightforward and widely understood term in Chinese society.
配偶 in 30 Seconds
- Formal term for husband or wife.
- Used in official and written contexts.
- Equivalent to 'spouse' in English.
§ Don't confuse 配偶 with other family terms
Many learners mix up 配偶 (pèi'ǒu) with other words for family members, especially husband (丈夫 zhàngfu) or wife (妻子 qīzi). While 配偶 refers to a spouse in general, 丈夫 specifically means husband and 妻子 specifically means wife. It's like the difference between 'spouse' and 'husband' or 'wife' in English.
- DEFINITION
- 配偶 (pèi'ǒu) - Spouse (gender-neutral)
- DEFINITION
- 丈夫 (zhàngfu) - Husband
- DEFINITION
- 妻子 (qīzi) - Wife
§ Using 配偶 too formally in casual conversation
While 配偶 is useful, it can sound a bit formal in everyday casual chats. In most daily conversations, Chinese speakers tend to use 丈夫 (zhàngfu) for husband or 妻子 (qīzi) for wife. Sometimes, they might even use more informal terms like 老公 (lǎo gōng) for husband or 老婆 (lǎo pó) for wife, especially among younger couples or in very close relationships. Using 配偶 in a casual chat about your partner might sound a little stiff, like saying 'my marital partner' instead of 'my husband' or 'my wife' in English.
她的配偶是一位律师。(Tā de pèi'ǒu shì yī wèi lǜshī.) - Her spouse is a lawyer. (Formal)
我丈夫很喜欢做饭。(Wǒ zhàngfu hěn xǐhuān zuò fàn.) - My husband loves to cook. (Casual)
我妻子是老师。(Wǒ qīzi shì lǎoshī.) - My wife is a teacher. (Casual)
§ Not knowing when to use it
While we just talked about not using it too formally, there are indeed times when 配偶 is the right choice. It's often used in formal contexts like legal documents, official forms, or when discussing marital status in a general, impersonal way. For instance, if you're filling out an immigration form, it's very likely you'll see questions asking about your 配偶, not specifically your 丈夫 or 妻子. This is because the term needs to cover both possibilities.
- **Formal documents:** Applications, legal papers, census forms.
- **Official announcements:** News reports or official statements about someone's marital status.
- **General discussions:** When talking about the concept of 'spouse' in a broad sense, without referring to a specific person.
§ Pronunciation issues
The pronunciation of 配偶 (pèi'ǒu) can be tricky for some learners, especially the combination of the fourth tone (pèi) and the third tone (ǒu). The 'pèi' should be a clear, falling tone, and 'ǒu' is a dipping tone. Make sure you practice these tones individually and then together to ensure you're saying it correctly. Mispronunciation might not lead to complete misunderstanding, but it can make your speech sound less natural and sometimes confuse the listener.
Fun Fact
The character '偶' can also refer to an idol or a statue, highlighting the significance of a companion as something revered or an ideal match.
Pronunciation Guide
- Incorrect tone on '配' (pèi) – it should be a falling tone.
- Mispronouncing '偶' (ǒu) – it's a rising tone.
Grammar to Know
Use with possessive pronouns to indicate 'my spouse', 'your spouse', etc. For example, 我的配偶 (wǒ de pèi'ǒu) means 'my spouse'.
我的配偶是医生。(Wǒ de pèi'ǒu shì yīshēng.) - My spouse is a doctor.
It can be used in formal contexts, often in legal documents, surveys, or official statements. In everyday conversation, people might use 更口语的说法 (gèng kǒuyǔ de shuōfǎ, more colloquial terms) like 丈夫 (zhàngfu, husband) or 妻子 (qīzi, wife).
在调查中，请填写您的配偶信息。(Zài diàochá zhōng, qǐng tiánxiě nín de pèi'ǒu xìnxī.) - In the survey, please fill in your spouse's information.
It is a gender-neutral term, referring to either a husband or a wife.
他们的配偶都是外国人。(Tāmen de pèi'ǒu dōu shì wàiguórén.) - Both their spouses are foreigners.
Can be used with verbs like 寻找 (xúnzhǎo, to look for) or 找到 (zhǎodào, to find) when discussing finding a spouse.
他正在寻找理想的配偶。(Tā zhèngzài xúnzhǎo lǐxiǎng de pèi'ǒu.) - He is looking for an ideal spouse.
It typically functions as a noun in a sentence.
配偶对婚姻的稳定很重要。(Pèi'ǒu duì hūnyīn de wěndìng hěn zhòngyào.) - A spouse is very important for the stability of a marriage.
Examples by Level
这是我配偶。
This is my spouse.
他有配偶。
He has a spouse.
她没有配偶。
She doesn't have a spouse.
你的配偶好吗？
Is your spouse well?
我的配偶是老师。
My spouse is a teacher.
他的配偶是医生。
His spouse is a doctor.
她和配偶一起去。
She goes with her spouse.
我们和配偶在家。
We are at home with our spouses.
我没有配偶。
I don't have a spouse.
你结婚了吗？你有配偶吗？
Are you married? Do you have a spouse?
他的配偶是日本人。
His spouse is Japanese.
我的配偶是医生。
My spouse is a doctor.
他们是配偶。
They are spouses.
她的配偶很喜欢中国菜。
Her spouse really likes Chinese food.
我希望我的配偶爱我。
I hope my spouse loves me.
你和你的配偶住在一起吗？
Do you live with your spouse?
我的配偶是医生。
My spouse is a doctor.
他们是幸福的配偶。
They are a happy couple (spouses).
他正在寻找一个合适的配偶。
He is looking for a suitable spouse.
她的配偶非常支持她。
Her spouse is very supportive of her.
你和你的配偶是哪里人？
Where are you and your spouse from?
我的配偶不喜欢吃辣。
My spouse doesn't like spicy food.
他们的配偶都在国外工作。
Both of their spouses work abroad.
作为配偶，他们互相照顾。
As spouses, they take care of each other.
我需要填写我的配偶的个人信息。
I need to fill in my spouse's personal information.
他们是一对幸福的配偶。
They are a happy couple (spouses).
我的配偶正在旅行，很快就会回来。
My spouse is traveling and will be back soon.
在申请签证时，需要提供配偶的详细信息。
When applying for a visa, details of one's spouse are required.
他非常爱他的配偶。
He loves his spouse very much.
配偶双方都应该互相尊重。
Both spouses should respect each other.
寻找一个合适的配偶是很重要的。
Finding a suitable spouse is very important.
她的配偶是一位医生。
Her spouse is a doctor.
在填写签证申请表时，他详细填写了配偶的信息。
When filling out the visa application form, he filled in his spouse's information in detail.
许多公司为员工的配偶提供医疗保险福利。
Many companies provide medical insurance benefits for employees' spouses.
在法律上，配偶享有继承遗产的权利。
Legally, a spouse has the right to inherit property.
她与配偶共同创立了这家公司，并一起努力经营。
She co-founded the company with her spouse and worked hard to manage it together.
新政策允许外国居民的配偶申请长期居留许可。
The new policy allows spouses of foreign residents to apply for long-term residency permits.
在遭遇困难时，配偶的支持是她坚持下去的强大动力。
When facing difficulties, her spouse's support was a powerful motivation for her to persevere.
他们互相扶持，成为了彼此最亲密的配偶和伙伴。
They supported each other, becoming each other's closest spouses and partners.
为了家庭和配偶的幸福，他放弃了出国深造的机会。
For the happiness of his family and spouse, he gave up the opportunity to study abroad.
How to Use It
When referring to a person's spouse in Chinese, you can directly use 配偶 (pèi'ǒu). It's a formal and neutral term.
A common mistake is trying to translate 'husband' or 'wife' directly with specific words like 丈夫 (zhàngfu) or 妻子 (qīzi) when a general term for spouse is needed. While 丈夫 and 妻子 are correct for 'husband' and 'wife' respectively, 配偶 is the overarching term for spouse. Another mistake is using a term like 伴侣 (bànlǚ), which is more general and can refer to a partner of any kind, not necessarily a spouse.
Tips
Basic use of 配偶
配偶 (pèi'ǒu) is a formal term for spouse. It can refer to either a husband or a wife.
Context of use
You'll most often hear 配偶 in formal contexts like legal documents, official forms, or news reports. In everyday conversation, people usually say 丈夫 (zhàngfu) for husband or 妻子 (qīzi) for wife.
Grammar: My spouse
To say 'my spouse', you can say 我的配偶 (wǒ de pèi'ǒu). The possessive particle 的 (de) is used here.
Official forms
When filling out forms, you'll often see '配偶' as an option for marital status or family information. This is where it's most common for learners to encounter it.
Avoid informal use
While correct, calling someone's partner their '配偶' in casual conversation might sound a bit stiff or overly formal. Stick to 丈夫 and 妻子 for friends and family.
Traditional family terms
In traditional Chinese culture, there are many specific terms for family members, but 配偶 is a more modern and neutral term for a married partner.
Don't confuse with 伴侣
While 伴侣 (bànlǚ) also means 'partner', it can refer to a romantic partner who is not necessarily married. 配偶 specifically means a spouse.
Example sentence 1
他的配偶是医生。 (Tā de pèi'ǒu shì yīshēng.) - His spouse is a doctor.
Example sentence 2
请填写您配偶的姓名。 (Qǐng tiánxiě nín pèi'ǒu de xìngmíng.) - Please fill in your spouse's name.
Pronunciation practice
Pay attention to the tones: pèi (4th tone) ǒu (3rd tone). Getting the tones right is crucial for clarity.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine a 'pair' (pèi) of 'friends' (ǒu, sounds like 'oh') who are married. They are a pair of close friends who became spouses.
Visual Association
Picture two people holding hands, wearing wedding rings, and standing under a giant 'P' and 'O' made of intertwined hearts. The 'P' for pèi, the 'O' for ǒu, representing 'pair' and 'oh' (friends/couple).
Word Web
Challenge
Describe your ideal spouse in three sentences using '配偶' at least once. For example: '我希望我的配偶很幽默。' (I hope my spouse is very humorous.)
Word Origin
Composed of '配' (pèi) meaning 'to match' or 'to be worthy of' and '偶' (ǒu) meaning 'companion' or 'partner'.
Original meaning: The combination literally means 'a matched companion'.
Sino-Tibetan, Sinitic (Chinese)Cultural Context
<p>In Chinese culture, the concept of a '配偶' (pèi'ǒu) traditionally carries significant weight, emphasizing partnership and family harmony. While modern usage aligns with the English 'spouse,' there's a historical emphasis on complementary roles and shared responsibilities within the family unit.</p>
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsThe Chinese word for 'spouse' is 配偶 (pèi'ǒu).
配偶 (pèi'ǒu) is a formal and gender-neutral term for spouse. You'd use it in official documents or when you don't want to specify gender. For 'husband', you can use 丈夫 (zhàngfu) or 先生 (xiānshēng), and for 'wife', you can use 妻子 (qīzi) or 太太 (tàitai).
While understandable, 配偶 (pèi'ǒu) is a bit formal for casual conversation. People usually use 丈夫 (zhàngfu) for husband and 妻子 (qīzi) for wife, or even informal terms like 老公 (lǎogōng) and 老婆 (lǎopó).
Yes, 配偶 (pèi'ǒu) is a gender-neutral term and can be used for spouses in same-sex marriages or partnerships.
The pinyin for 配偶 is pèi'ǒu.
The characters for 配偶 are:
配 (pèi): to match, to pair
偶 (ǒu): by chance, a pair, a mate
Sure! Here's one:
她和她的配偶都是医生。
Tā hé tā de pèi'ǒu dōu shì yīshēng.
She and her spouse are both doctors.
配偶 (pèi'ǒu) is considered an A2 level vocabulary word according to the CEFR framework.
While not a common idiom, you might see it in phrases like 寻求配偶 (xúnqiú pèi'ǒu) meaning 'to seek a spouse', or 合法配偶 (héfǎ pèi'ǒu) meaning 'legal spouse'.
配 (pèi) is a falling tone (fourth tone). 偶 (ǒu) is a rising tone (third tone). So it's pèi'ǒu.
Test Yourself 60 questions
Write a short sentence introducing your spouse (or a fictional spouse). Use the word '配偶'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我的配偶是老师。(My spouse is a teacher.)
Translate the following into Chinese: 'His spouse likes to read books.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
他的配偶喜欢看书。
Complete the sentence: '我的配偶是____。' (My spouse is a ____.)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我的配偶是医生。(My spouse is a doctor.)
朋友的配偶是哪里人？ (Where is the friend's spouse from?)
Read this passage:
这是我的朋友。他的配偶是日本人。他们喜欢一起旅行。
朋友的配偶是哪里人？ (Where is the friend's spouse from?)
文章中说 '他的配偶是日本人'。
文章中说 '他的配偶是日本人'。
她和配偶有几个孩子？ (How many children do she and her spouse have?)
Read this passage:
她有一个幸福的家庭。她的配偶很爱她。他们有两个孩子。
她和配偶有几个孩子？ (How many children do she and her spouse have?)
文章中说 '他们有两个孩子'。
文章中说 '他们有两个孩子'。
小王的配偶是做什么工作的？ (What is Xiao Wang's spouse's job?)
Read this passage:
小王的配偶是医生。他每天工作很忙。但是他们周末会一起吃饭。
小王的配偶是做什么工作的？ (What is Xiao Wang's spouse's job?)
文章中说 '小王的配偶是医生'。
文章中说 '小王的配偶是医生'。
她正在寻找一个理想的___。
这句话的意思是 'She is looking for an ideal spouse.' '配偶' (pèi'ǒu) means spouse.
他和他的___一起去旅行了。
这句话的意思是 'He went traveling with his spouse.' '配偶' (pèi'ǒu) means spouse.
找到一个好的___对生活很重要。
这句话的意思是 'Finding a good spouse is important for life.' '配偶' (pèi'ǒu) means spouse.
我的___很支持我的事业。
这句话的意思是 'My spouse is very supportive of my career.' '配偶' (pèi'ǒu) means spouse.
他们是一对幸福的___。
这句话的意思是 'They are a happy couple (spouses).' '配偶' (pèi'ǒu) means spouse.
在一些文化中，家人会帮忙寻找___。
这句话的意思是 'In some cultures, family members help look for a spouse.' '配偶' (pèi'ǒu) means spouse.
This sentence means 'My spouse is a doctor.' The order is Subject + Verb + Object.
This means 'Do you have a spouse?' The question particle 吗 (ma) goes at the end.
This translates to 'Her spouse is very busy.' 的 (de) shows possession.
她和她的___一起住在北京。 (She lives in Beijing with her ___.)
The sentence indicates living with a significant other, and '配偶' is the correct term for 'spouse'.
在一些文化中，家庭成员包括父母、孩子和___。 (In some cultures, family members include parents, children, and ___.)
'配偶' (spouse) is a core family member.
申请签证时，通常需要提供你___的详细信息。 (When applying for a visa, you usually need to provide detailed information about your ___.)
Visa applications often require information about immediate family, including a spouse.
一个人的配偶可以是他们的兄弟姐妹。 (A person's spouse can be their sibling.)
'配偶' refers to a husband or wife, not a sibling.
在中国，当两个人结婚时，他们就成为了配偶。 (In China, when two people get married, they become spouses.)
Marriage establishes the relationship of spouses.
在正式场合，'配偶'是一个非常不礼貌的词。 (In formal settings, '配偶' is a very impolite word.)
'配偶' is a formal and neutral term for spouse, often used in official documents and respectful conversation.
My spouse is very supportive of my work.
When filling out the form, please provide your spouse's name and contact information.
They are a happy couple and often travel together.
Read this aloud:
找到一个相互理解的配偶是人生一大幸事。
Focus: 配偶 (pèi'ǒu)
You said:
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Read this aloud:
我希望我的配偶能和我分享所有喜怒哀乐。
Focus: 喜怒哀乐 (xǐ nù āi lè)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
作为配偶，我们应该互相尊重和支持。
Focus: 尊重 (zūnzhòng)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
This sentence means 'Her spouse is a doctor.' The standard word order is Subject + Predicate.
This sentence means 'Their spouses all support their careers very much.' The adverb '都' (all) comes before the verb, and '很' (very) modifies the verb '支持' (support).
This sentence means 'Choosing a good spouse is very important for life.' The phrase '选择一个好的配偶' (choosing a good spouse) acts as the subject of the sentence, followed by '对生活很重要' (is very important for life).
Imagine your friend is getting married. Write a short message (3-4 sentences) congratulating them and wishing them and their new 配偶 (spouse) a happy future. Include at least two adjectives to describe their relationship.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
恭喜你新婚快乐！希望你和你的配偶生活美满，白头偕老。祝你们永远恩爱。
You are filling out a form that asks for your 配偶 (spouse)'s occupation. If you are not married, write "N/A". If you are, write a sentence stating your spouse's job.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我的配偶是一名工程师。
Describe a common cultural practice in China related to how a couple introduces their 配偶 (spouse) to their family for the first time. (3-4 sentences)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
在中国，第一次把配偶介绍给家人通常是一个重要的时刻。人们会选择一个特殊的场合，比如家庭聚餐，并且配偶通常会准备一些礼物。家人也会对配偶进行仔细的观察。
根据这段话，中国人选择配偶时会考虑哪些因素？
Read this passage:
在中国，婚姻是一个重要的社会和家庭事件。很多人在选择配偶时，不仅考虑个人感情，还会考虑家庭背景和双方的价值观是否契合。婚后，夫妻双方共同承担家庭责任，互相扶持，共同面对生活中的挑战。
根据这段话，中国人选择配偶时会考虑哪些因素？
文章中明确提到“不仅考虑个人感情，还会考虑家庭背景和双方的价值观是否契合”。
文章中明确提到“不仅考虑个人感情，还会考虑家庭背景和双方的价值观是否契合”。
根据这段话，现代社会中夫妻关系的趋势是什么？
Read this passage:
在一个传统的家庭中，丈夫和配偶的角色分工可能有所不同。丈夫可能更多地负责赚钱养家，而配偶则可能更多地承担家务和照顾孩子的责任。然而，在现代社会，越来越多的夫妻选择共同分担这些责任，追求更平等的婚姻关系。
根据这段话，现代社会中夫妻关系的趋势是什么？
文章中提到“越来越多的夫妻选择共同分担这些责任，追求更平等的婚姻关系”。
文章中提到“越来越多的夫妻选择共同分担这些责任，追求更平等的婚姻关系”。
这位职场女性认为她的配偶应该扮演什么角色？
Read this passage:
一位年轻的职场女性分享了她的婚姻观：“我的配偶不仅是我的伴侣，更是我的朋友和支持者。我们一起工作，一起学习，一起成长。在生活的压力面前，我们互相鼓励，共同进步。我认为这样的关系才能长久。”
这位职场女性认为她的配偶应该扮演什么角色？
文章中明确指出“我的配偶不仅是我的伴侣，更是我的朋友和支持者”。
文章中明确指出“我的配偶不仅是我的伴侣，更是我的朋友和支持者”。
This sentence describes her spouse as an outstanding scientist. The correct order places '她的' (her) before '配偶' (spouse), followed by the verb '是' (is), and then the description '一位杰出的科学家' (an outstanding scientist).
This sentence explains that he and his spouse jointly run a company. The correct order starts with '他' (he) and '和他的配偶' (and his spouse), followed by '共同经营着' (jointly operate) and '一家公司' (a company).
This sentence states that compatibility is crucial when choosing a spouse. The correct order begins with '在选择配偶时' (when choosing a spouse), followed by '性格契合' (personality compatibility) and '至关重要' (is extremely important).
在很多文化中，选择一个合适的___是一项重要的家庭事务。
在句子中，选择一个能一起组建家庭的人，'配偶'是最合适的词语。
法律规定，只有在双方自愿的情况下，婚姻关系中的___才能成立。
婚姻关系指的是两个人成为合法'配偶'。
寻找一个志同道合的___是许多人对爱情的期待。
这里指的是共同生活的另一半，'配偶'最符合语境。
在某些历史时期，婚姻往往是由家庭为子女安排___。
家庭安排的是婚配对象，因此'配偶'是正确的选择。
她的理想___必须具备幽默感和责任心。
理想的另一半通常是指'配偶'。
共同财产通常由夫妻双方，也就是___共同拥有。
夫妻双方的共同财产是指'配偶'间的财产。
What nationality is my spouse?
What is he looking for?
What rights do spouses have legally?
Read this aloud:
我从未想过我的配偶会如此支持我。
Focus: 配偶 (pèi'ǒu)
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Read this aloud:
你对未来配偶有什么期望？
Focus: 期望 (qīwàng)
You said:
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Read this aloud:
我的配偶总能在我需要的时候给我安慰。
Focus: 安慰 (ānwèi)
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Summary
Use 配偶 in formal situations to refer to a spouse, as it sounds more official than other terms.
- Formal term for husband or wife.
- Used in official and written contexts.
- Equivalent to 'spouse' in English.
Basic use of 配偶
配偶 (pèi'ǒu) is a formal term for spouse. It can refer to either a husband or a wife.
Context of use
You'll most often hear 配偶 in formal contexts like legal documents, official forms, or news reports. In everyday conversation, people usually say 丈夫 (zhàngfu) for husband or 妻子 (qīzi) for wife.
Grammar: My spouse
To say 'my spouse', you can say 我的配偶 (wǒ de pèi'ǒu). The possessive particle 的 (de) is used here.
Official forms
When filling out forms, you'll often see '配偶' as an option for marital status or family information. This is where it's most common for learners to encounter it.
Example
他的配偶是一位医生。
