How to say "husband" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 夫おっとnounThe plain, neutral word for a husband — the default choice when referring to your own husband in ordinary conversation and writing.
- 婿むこnounChiefly the groom at a wedding; as 'husband' it is typically a daughter's husband or a man who married into his wife's family, and is seldom the everyday word for one's own husband.
- 夫君ふくんnounA respectful (sonkeigo) term for another person's husband; use it to refer politely to someone else's husband in courteous conversation, never to your own.
- 配偶者はいぐうしゃnounA gender-neutral term for a spouse, covering both husband and wife; the word used in legal, official, and administrative contexts such as documents and forms.
- 旦那だんなnounA familiar, conversational word for a husband; its casual, homely tone fits relaxed everyday talk, not formal or official contexts.
Use 夫 as the neutral word for one's own husband, 婿 chiefly for a groom or a daughter's husband, honorific 夫君 for another person's husband, 配偶者 for a spouse in legal or official contexts, and casual 旦那 in familiar conversation.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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