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.
彼は前妻と離婚した。
He divorced his former wife.
前妻との間に子供が一人いる。
He has one child with his former wife.
Casual way to say 'former wife'. Literally 'original wife'. Often used in conversation.
元の奥さんは今どこに住んでるの？
Where does your ex-wife live now?
Another common term for 'ex-wife'. Slightly more casual than 前妻.
元妻が再婚した。
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.
先妻の子と後妻の子の間で相続争いが起きた。
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.
彼の前の奥さんはとても優しい人だった。
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.
元の奥さんとは今でも友達です。
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.
Formal term for 'former spouse'. Used in legal documents and official contexts.
元配偶者からの扶養手当を受け取っている。
I am receiving alimony from my former spouse.
Slightly less formal than 元配偶者, but still used in official contexts.
前の配偶者との間に子供が二人います。
I have two children with my former spouse.
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.