義母
Meanings
1
Refers to the mother of one's spouse. The most common meaning of 義母.
My mother-in-law is very good at cooking.
2
A woman who raises a child not biologically her own, in a formal or legal fostering arrangement. Less common than the mother-in-law sense.
She was raised by her foster mother from a young age.
3
The wife of one's father who is not one's biological mother. Can be used in both legal and informal contexts.
At first things were awkward with my stepmother, but now we get along well.
Usage patterns
- 〈人〉が義母と暮らすfor someone to live with their mother-in-law
I've been living with my mother-in-law since I got married.
- 義母に気を遣うto be considerate/careful around one's mother-in-law
My wife is always careful to be considerate toward her mother-in-law.
- 義母の介護をするto take care of one's mother-in-law (esp. in old age)
My husband's sister and I take turns caring for our mother-in-law.