夫婦|ふうふfuufu[1]atamadaka (head-high)

1. nounmarried couple; husband and wife; man and wife
   ご夫婦ふうふでお越こしください。↗

   Please come over with your wife.

• Synonym夫妻ふさいWrittenWritten/formal: mostly used of other people, especially in news and formal contexts, as in 「首相夫妻」; 「夫婦」 is more general and can also refer to one's own marriage.
• RelatedアベックCasualDated colloquial loanword for a couple out together; now largely replaced by 「カップル」. Also describes two parties achieving something together, such as a joint win.
• RelatedカップルNeutralA couple or pair, not necessarily married; 「夫婦」 is limited to two people joined by marriage.
• RelatedつがいNeutralMainly for mated birds and animals, as in 「鳩のつがい」; used of people it sounds teasing.
• Related伉儷こうれいWrittenElegant, archaic written word for a married couple, seen in congratulatory addresses and classical prose; not used in everyday speech.
• Related妹背いもせWrittenArchaic word for a married couple, or for brother and sister; found in classical literature and waka, rarely used today.
• Antonym独身どくしんNeutralUnmarried, single; the opposite of 「夫婦」 as to whether one has a spouse.

Use 「夫婦」 for a married couple in general. For other people in news or formal writing, 「夫妻」 is common; 「カップル」 covers couples who are not married, 「つがい」 mated animals. 「アベック」 is dated, and 「伉儷」「妹背」 are archaic literary words.

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

1. 結婚けっこんしている一ひと組くみの男女だんじょ。