Translation guide
Expresses the relationship of a married couple, often emphasizing the union or the pair as a unit. Japanese typically uses specific terms for 'husband and wife' rather than a literal translation of 'man and wife'.
Referring to a married couple in a neutral or general sense.
The most common and neutral word for a married couple, 'husband and wife'.
あの夫婦はとても仲がいい。
That man and wife get along very well.
A polite term for a married couple, often used to refer to someone else's couple or in formal contexts.
山田夫妻を夕食に招待した。
We invited Mr. and Mrs. Yamada (the Yamadas, man and wife) to dinner.
A somewhat dated or literary term for a married couple, sometimes used in titles or traditional contexts.
この物語は若い夫婦者の苦労を描いている。
This story depicts the struggles of a young man and wife.
Highlighting the couple as a single entity or partnership.
Literally 'husband and wife, two people', emphasizing the couple as a unit.
夫婦二人で小さな店を経営している。
The man and wife run a small shop together.
Means 'both husband and wife together', often used for joint actions.
夫婦揃ってパーティーに出席した。
The man and wife attended the party together.
Referring to the married couple in official, legal, or ceremonial language.
To become man and wife, used in contexts like marriage vows or announcements.
ここに、二人は夫婦となることを誓います。
Here, the two vow to become man and wife.
Marriage, matrimony; often used in legal contexts. Can be combined with 夫婦 to emphasize the marital union.
婚姻関係にある夫婦
a man and wife in a marital relationship
How to address or refer to a particular man and wife, considering politeness and relationship.
The standard polite way to refer to a couple, e.g., 田中夫妻 (Mr. and Mrs. Tanaka).
田中夫妻は来週引っ越します。
Mr. and Mrs. Tanaka (the Tanakas, man and wife) are moving next week.
A slightly less formal but still polite way, e.g., 田中さん夫婦.
田中さん夫婦はいつも一緒に買い物に行く。
The Tanaka couple (man and wife) always go shopping together.
The direct translation '男と妻' (おとことつま) is unnatural and not used. Always use 夫婦 or similar terms.
夫婦 is the general term for a married couple, while 夫妻 is a polite form used when referring to someone else's couple or in formal situations. Using 夫妻 for your own couple sounds arrogant.
二人は五十年間夫婦として暮らした。
They lived as man and wife for fifty years.
司祭は二人を夫婦と宣言した。
The priest declared them man and wife.