妻子
How to Understand
妻子 (qī zǐ) means 'wife' in English, referring to a woman who is legally married to a man. It specifically denotes a spouse in a marital relationship, distinguishing it from other terms like 'girlfriend' or 'partner' which may not imply legal marriage.
The character 妻 (qī) originally meant 'woman' or 'wife' and was used in ancient texts to denote a married woman. 子 (zǐ) literally means 'child' but in this context functions as a suffix to form the term for 'wife.' Together, they create a classical and formal term for a married woman.
妻子 is commonly used in formal or traditional contexts. In modern Chinese, it is often used in writing or in more respectful speech. It is also used in phrases like “我的妻子” (wǒ de qī zǐ), meaning 'my wife.' Understanding the term helps in grasping family roles and social structures in Chinese culture.