Translation guide
In Japanese, there is no direct equivalent to "Mrs." that indicates marital status. Instead, the most common and neutral way to address or refer to a married woman is by using the honorific さん (san) after her family name. In formal or professional settings, 様 (sama) may be used. When referring to someone else's wife, specific terms exist, but they are not direct translations of "Mrs." as a title.
How to address or refer to a married woman using a title equivalent to "Mrs."
さん is a gender-neutral and marital-status-neutral honorific. It is the standard polite way to address or refer to someone, regardless of whether they are married. There is no need to specify marital status in most situations.
Mrs. Tanaka is my teacher.
How to refer to a married woman as someone's wife, similar to "Mrs. [Husband's Last Name]"
There is no Japanese title that directly corresponds to "Mrs." and indicates marital status. Using さん is always safe and appropriate. Attempting to create a title like 結婚さん (kekkon-san) would be incorrect and confusing.
In Japanese, it is common to use the family name + さん even when you know the person's given name. Using given name + さん is more intimate and typically reserved for close friends, family, or children.
Mrs. Suzuki, you have a phone call.
様 is a more formal and respectful honorific than さん. It is used in business correspondence, on formal invitations, or when addressing customers. It does not indicate marital status.
Mrs. Yamada (in formal correspondence)
夫人 means "wife" or "Mrs." and is used in formal or written contexts to refer to someone else's wife, often with respect. It is not used as a direct title before a name in everyday conversation.
the President's wife / Mrs. President
奥さん is the most common and polite way to refer to someone else's wife. It can be used with the husband's family name (e.g., 田中さんの奥さん) or on its own.
Mrs. Tanaka (Tanaka's wife) is kind, isn't she?
Please give my regards to your wife.
家内 is a humble term used to refer to one's own wife when speaking to others. It is somewhat traditional and may sound old-fashioned to younger speakers.
My wife is always indebted to you. (formal greeting)
妻 is a neutral term for "wife" and can be used to refer to one's own wife in casual or semi-formal contexts. It is less humble than 家内.
My wife is out shopping now.