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Words Kanji Guides About

正妻 (せいさい) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

正せい妻さい

せ

い

さ

い

Freq.FrequencyTop 50,000

Meanings

1

noun

legal wife; lawful wife

Refers to a wife recognized by law or formal marriage, as opposed to a mistress or common-law partner.

彼かれは正せい妻さいのほかに愛あい人じんがいるらしい。
He seems to have a mistress besides his legal wife.

2

noun

first wife (in polygamy)

Used in contexts of polygamy to distinguish the primary wife from secondary wives or concubines.

Kanji

正correct, justice, righteous
妻wife, spouse

Similar words

本ほん妻さい
本妻 also means 'legal wife' or 'first wife', but can carry a stronger nuance of the 'main' or 'official' wife, sometimes used in contrast with 側室 (concubine). 正妻 is more neutral and formal.
側そく室しつ
側室 means 'concubine' or 'secondary wife', the opposite of 正妻 in a polygamous context.

Etymology

Compound of 正 (sei, 'correct, legitimate') and 妻 (sai, 'wife'). The reading せいさい is the on'yomi of both characters.

歴れき史しドラマでは、正せい妻さいと側そく室しつの争あらそいがよく描えがかれる。

Historical dramas often depict conflicts between the first wife and concubines.