also: つまこ · めこ
wife and children; one's family
Refers to a man's immediate family, specifically his wife and children. Often used in contexts of responsibility or separation.
He works hard to support his wife and children.
He was transferred alone, leaving his wife and children back in his hometown.
Only with reading さいし / めこ
Archaic sense meaning 'wife', restricted to the readings さいし and めこ. In modern Japanese, 妻 (つま) or 家内 (かない) are more common.
In classical texts, 妻子 can be read めこ and refer only to one's wife.
He works at a factory to support his wife and children.
As a man with a wife and children, I can't easily quit my job.
He left his wife and children behind and headed to the battlefield.
He left the city and now lives with his wife and children in the countryside.
Rare reading; the kanji spelling 妻子 is normally read さいし. This reading may appear in older or literary contexts.
Obsolete kana usage for the archaic sense 'wife'.