How to say "spouse" in Japanese

• 配偶者はいぐうしゃJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounThe plain, formal word for one's spouse, covering both husband and wife. Typical in legal, official, and administrative contexts such as forms, documents, and announcements.
  彼女かのじょは彼かれが貧まずしいときも彼かれを支ささえるすばらしい配偶者はいぐうしゃだった。↗

  She was an excellent spouse who stood by him through poverty.
• 伴侶はんりょCommon
  nounCovers 'spouse' but leans toward the sense of a lifelong companion or partner, with a warmer, somewhat literary feel. Suits talk of someone sharing one's life rather than legal status.
  二人ふたりは伴侶はんりょ三さん人にんは仲間割なかまわれ。↗

  Two is company, but three is none.
• 結婚相手けっこんあいてCommon
  nounLiterally 'marriage partner'; often used for the person one intends to marry or is seeking as a spouse. Natural when discussing choosing or finding someone to marry.
  彼女かのじょの条件じょうけんが結婚相手けっこんあいてを選えらぶ際さいの優先ゆうせん事項じこうだ。↗

  Her conditions for choosing a marriage partner took priority.
• 配偶はいぐうCommon
  nounGlossed as 'spouse', but on its own this is really the verbal noun 'matching in marriage'; as a standalone word for a spouse it is seldom what you want—配偶者 is the usual choice.

Use 配偶者 for the neutral legal term, 結婚相手 for a prospective marriage partner, 伴侶 for an emotional life-companion nuance, and 配偶 mainly in formal or written contexts.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 配偶者はいぐうしゃspouse
• 伴侶はんりょcompanion
• 結婚相手けっこんあいてmarriage partner
• 伉配こうはいspouse
• パートナーpartner
• 配偶はいぐうspouse