本ほん妻さい

noun

legal wife; lawful wife

Refers to a man's legally recognized wife, often in contrast to a mistress or concubine. The term carries a formal, somewhat traditional tone.

• 彼かれは本ほん妻さいの他ほかに愛あい人じんがいるらしい。

  He seems to have a mistress in addition to his legal wife.

• 本ほん妻さいの座ざを守まもるために彼かの女じょは努ど力りょくした。

  She worked hard to maintain her position as the legal wife.