Translation guide
In Japanese, how you refer to your own wife depends heavily on context, formality, and relationship. There is no single direct equivalent to 'my wife' that works in all situations.
嫁
my wife (affectionate, casual)
Literally 'bride'; used by husbands to refer to their wife informally, but can be seen as old-fashioned or dialectal.
You are speaking to someone outside your family (e.g., boss, client, stranger) and need a humble way to say 'my wife'.
The standard humble term for one's own wife. Safe and appropriate in almost any formal situation.
妻もよろしくお願いします。
My wife also sends her regards.
妻は今、外出しております。
My wife is out at the moment.
A humble term literally meaning 'inside the house'. Still used, especially by older generations, but can sound a bit traditional or sexist to some.
You are talking to people you know well and want to mention your wife in a relaxed way.
Commonly used by husbands in casual settings. Originally means 'bride' or 'daughter-in-law', but widely used for 'my wife' among younger generations. Can sound rough or dialectal in some regions.
うちの嫁がさ、昨日こんなこと言ってたんだ。
My wife was saying this thing yesterday.
嫁と買い物に行ってきた。
I went shopping with my wife.
Even in casual settings, 妻 is perfectly acceptable and neutral. It doesn't carry the same formal weight as in polite speech.
妻がね、新しいレシピを試したんだ。
My wife tried a new recipe.
Normally used to refer to someone else's wife (honorific). Using it for your own wife can sound joking or overly familiar. Only use with very close friends in a playful tone.
Using 奥さん for your own wife in formal contexts is incorrect and can be seen as rude.
You want to refer to your wife by her given name or a pet name, which is common in close relationships.
In very casual, intimate settings, husbands may call their wives by their first name with an honorific like さん or ちゃん, or simply by name. This is natural among couples but may sound overly familiar in public.
ゆかりがさ、面白い動画見つけたんだって。
Yukari found a funny video.
なおちゃんは今日、友達とランチ。
Nao-chan is having lunch with friends today.
In Japanese, when the subject is clear from context, you often don't need to say 'my wife' at all.
If you're already talking about your family or it's obvious who you mean, simply drop the subject. This is very natural.
昨日、映画を見に行ったんだ。
Yesterday, (we) went to see a movie. (Implying with my wife)
今、買い物中で。
She's out shopping right now. (Context: my wife)
奥さん is an honorific term used for someone else's wife. Using it for your own wife in polite conversation is a common mistake and sounds disrespectful. Stick with 妻.
× 私の奥さんは教師です。
Incorrect: My wife is a teacher. (using 奥さん)
○ 妻は教師です。
Correct: My wife is a teacher.
妻 is the safest, most neutral humble term. 家内 is more traditional and can imply a housewife role. 嫁 is casual and originally means 'bride', but is widely used for 'wife' in informal speech; some women find it old-fashioned or sexist. Choose based on context and your wife's preference.
妻 is universally understood and appropriate in almost any situation where you need to refer to your wife humbly. It's the best default for learners.
My wife is always indebted to you.
うちの奥さんがまた怒ってるよ。
My wife is mad at me again.