Translation guide
In Japanese, referring to a former wife depends on the speaker's perspective and the context. The most common and neutral term is 前妻 (zensai), meaning 'former wife' from the husband's point of view. When speaking from the wife's perspective, 元夫 (motootto) is used for 'former husband'. For legal contexts, 元配偶者 (moto haigūsha) can be used. In casual conversation, people often use 元の奥さん (moto no okusan) or simply 元妻 (motosai).
The speaker is referring to his own former wife.
Neutral and standard term for 'former wife' used by the husband. Common in both spoken and written Japanese.
He divorced his former wife.
He has one child with his former wife.
Casual way to say 'former wife'. Literally 'original wife'. Often used in conversation.
Where does your ex-wife live now?
Another common term for 'ex-wife'. Slightly more casual than 前妻.
My ex-wife remarried.
Literally 'previous wife'. Can imply the wife before the current one, often used in contexts of remarriage or inheritance. More formal or literary.
A dispute over inheritance arose between the children of the former wife and the children of the later wife.
Referring to someone else's former wife, or when the speaker is the former wife herself.
Polite and common way to refer to someone's former wife. 奥さん is a respectful term for wife.
His former wife was a very kind person.
Same as above, but slightly more casual. Can be used for one's own or someone else's ex-wife.
I'm still friends with my ex-wife.
Can also be used when talking about someone else's former wife, but may sound slightly detached.
Referring to a former spouse without specifying gender, often in legal or formal contexts.
前妻 (zensai) is the most standard and neutral term for 'former wife'. 元妻 (motosai) is also common but slightly more casual. 先妻 (sensai) implies a wife from a previous marriage, often in contrast with a current wife (後妻, gosai), and can carry a nuance of 'the first wife' in contexts of remarriage or inheritance.
Do not translate 'former wife' literally as 前の妻 (mae no tsuma). While understandable, it is not idiomatic. Use 前妻 or 元の奥さん instead.
彼の前妻は有名な女優だ。
His ex-wife is a famous actress.
I have two children with my former spouse.