人妻
Meanings
1
Neutral term for a woman who is married. Can be used in general statements or descriptions.
She is a married woman, but she continues to work.
2
someone else's wife; another man's wife
Often used when referring to a married woman in relation to someone other than her husband, sometimes with a nuance of unavailability or taboo.
He fell in love with another man's wife.
Usage patterns
- 〈人〉が人妻に恋をするfor someone to fall in love with a married woman
He ended up falling in love with a married woman.
- 人妻と関係を持つto have an affair with someone's wife
It turned out he was having an affair with someone's wife.