妾・目掛け|めかけmekake[3]odaka (tail-high)

1. nounmistress; kept woman; concubine

• Synonym二号にごうCasualColloquial: stresses the woman who comes second, i.e. the mistress; slangy and coarser than 「妾」.
• Synonym側室そくしつWrittenWritten style: a noble's or shogun's concubine; historical flavor, more dignified than 「妾」.
• SynonymそばめWrittenWritten: like 「妾」 it denotes a non-wife status, so listing it as an antonym is not really apt.
• Synonym情婦じょうふWrittenWritten style: stresses a lover outside marriage; she is not necessarily kept financially.
• Synonym二号さんにごうさんCasualColloquial: 「二号」 with 「さん」 added; a kept mistress, with a slangy flavor.
• Synonym囲い者かこいものCasualColloquial: stresses a woman kept financially; focuses on the supporting relationship.
• Synonym囲い女かこいおんなCasualColloquial: a woman kept outside the home by a married man.
• Synonym隠し女かくしおんなCasualColloquial: stresses a lover hidden from the wife; the secrecy is the point.
• Synonym権妻ごんさいWrittenWritten and rare: an unofficial wife treated as such, from the Meiji period.
• RelatedそばめWrittenWritten: like 「妾」 it denotes a non-wife status, so listing it as an antonym is not really apt.
• AntonymつまNeutralThe lawful spouse; the counterpart of 「妾」, who is not the legal wife.
• Antonym正妻せいさいWrittenWritten: the legal, formal wife; the direct opposite of 「妾」.

Use 「妾」 for a woman other than the legal wife whom a man supports like a wife; it has an old-era flavor. For a noble's concubine say 「側室」; colloquially, 「二号」/「二号さん」 is slangier, 「囲い者」/「囲い女」 stress being kept, 「隠し女」 secrecy, and 「情婦」 a lover not necessarily kept. The opposites are 「正妻」 and 「妻」.

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

1. （めかけ）正妻せいさい以外いがいで、妻つま同様どうように扶養ふようする女性じょせい。