夫妇
How to Understand
夫妇 refers to a married couple, specifically husband and wife. It is a formal variant of the more commonly used 夫妻 (fūqī), which also means husband and wife. The term 夫妇 is often used in literary or formal contexts.
The character 夫 (fū) means 'husband' or 'a man,' while 妇 (fù) means 'wife' or 'a woman.' Together, they form a compound word that literally translates to 'husband and wife.' This combination reflects traditional Chinese views on marriage as a union between a man and a woman.
夫妇 is typically used in formal writing, speeches, or literature. In daily conversation, people may prefer the more common term 夫妻. However, understanding 夫妇 can help learners grasp more refined or classical expressions in Chinese texts.