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嫡室 (chakushitsu) Japanese meaning: legal wife | Kotomora

嫡ちゃく室しつ

ちゃ

く

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つ

Meanings

1

legal wife; legitimate wife

Refers to a man's officially recognized wife, especially in historical or legal contexts where concubinage existed. Not commonly used in modern everyday conversation.

彼かれの嫡ちゃく室しつは名めい家かの出しゅっ身しんだった。
His legal wife came from a distinguished family.

Kanji

嫡legitimate wife, direct descent (non-bastard)
室room, apartment, chamber

Related words

正せい妻さい
Also means 'legal wife' or 'principal wife', but is more commonly used in modern contexts than 嫡室.
本ほん妻さい
Means 'legal wife' as opposed to a mistress or concubine; more colloquial than 嫡室.

Etymology

Composed of 嫡 (legitimate, direct descent) and 室 (room, wife). The term historically referred to the principal wife in a household, especially in contexts where multiple wives or concubines were present.