女にょう房ぼう

noun

wife; one's own wife

Common, somewhat informal term for one's own wife; often used by men. Can sound old-fashioned or humble depending on context.

• うちの女にょう房ぼうは料りょう理りが上手じょうずだ。

  My wife is a good cook.

• 女にょう房ぼうに怒おこられちゃったよ。

  I got scolded by my wife.

noun

court lady; female court attendant

Only with reading にょうぼう / にゅうぼう

Historical term for a woman serving at the imperial court; used in Heian and later periods. Reading is にょうぼう or archaic にゅうぼう.

• 平へい安あん時じ代だいの女にょう房ぼうは、宮きゅう中ちゅうで文ぶん学がくや和わ歌かに親したしんだ。

  Court ladies of the Heian period enjoyed literature and waka poetry at the imperial palace.

noun

woman; love interest

Only with reading にょうぼう / にゅうぼう

Archaic use for a woman, especially as a romantic interest; found in classical literature. Reading is にょうぼう or archaic にゅうぼう.

• 古ふるい物もの語がたりでは、女にょう房ぼうはしばしば恋こいの相あい手てとして描えがかれる。

  In old tales, a woman is often depicted as a love interest.