Understanding "妻子" - Chinese Word Explanation

1. Basic Information

• Word: 妻子
• Pinyin: qī zi
• Literal Meaning: "Wife" (妻) + "child" (子) – though in modern usage, 子 often functions as a suffix without independent meaning.
• Primary Meaning: "Wife" (the formal or neutral term for a married woman in relation to her spouse).

2. In-depth Explanation

• Context and Usage:
• 妻子 is the standard, neutral term for "wife" in Mandarin, used in both spoken and written contexts. It is more formal than colloquial alternatives like 老婆 (lǎo pó).

• It is commonly used in legal, official, or polite settings (e.g., introducing one's spouse). Unlike 太太 (tài tai), which can imply social status, 妻子 is straightforward and widely applicable.

• Character Breakdown:

• 妻 (qī): Stands for "wife" on its own. The character historically depicted a woman (女) holding a broom (帚), symbolizing domestic roles.
• 子 (zi): A neutral suffix often added to nouns (e.g., 桌子, zhuō zi, "table"). Here, it doesn’t mean "child" but softens the term 妻 into a more natural-sounding word.

3. Example Sentences

1. Chinese: 我的妻子是一位医生。
   Pinyin: Wǒ de qī zi shì yí wèi yī shēng.
   English: My wife is a doctor.

2. Chinese: 他非常爱他的妻子。
   Pinyin: Tā fēi cháng ài tā de qī zi.
   English: He loves his wife very much.

3. Chinese: 妻子和孩子都在家等他。
   Pinyin: Qī zi hé hái zi dōu zài jiā děng tā.
   English: His wife and children are waiting for him at home.

Cultural Notes

• In traditional Chinese culture, 妻子 was often associated with roles like homemaking and child-rearing, but modern usage is neutral and reflects gender equality.
• The term contrasts with 爱人 (ài ren, "spouse" or "lover"), which is gender-neutral but less formal, and 内人 (nèi ren, "my wife," literally "inside person"), which is outdated and rarely used today.

Conclusion

妻子 (qī zi) is the standard Mandarin word for "wife," suitable for most contexts. Remember that 妻 means "wife," while 子 acts as a suffix. Use it in formal or everyday situations, and pair it with 丈夫 (zhàng fu, "husband") for clarity.