Ask Jaybot Difference between 家内 and 妻

thomas

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What is the difference between 家内 and 妻?
 
Both 家内 (kanai) and 妻 (tsuma) can be used to refer to one's wife in Japanese, but there are some differences in usage and tone.

家内 (kanai) is a more formal and traditional term, often used in written language or in polite speech. It can also be used to refer to the household or family as a whole, not just the wife. In some cases, it may be considered more respectful to use 家内 instead of 妻.

On the other hand, 妻 (tsuma) is a more common and casual term for wife. It is often used in everyday conversation and is more commonly used in spoken language than 家内. It can also be used to refer to someone else's wife or even to refer to one's own wife in a more affectionate or endearing way.

In summary, 家内 is a more formal and respectful term for wife, while 妻 is a more casual and common term. The choice of which term to use may depend on the context and relationship between the speaker and the person being referred to.
 
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