The Meaning of fujin [夫人] In Japanese

夫人
ふじん
Romaji: fujin

What does 夫人 mean?

Translation and Meaning

wife, madam, lady

Definition

What does 夫人 mean? It denotes a married woman and is used as a formal, respectful term for a wife or for addressing a woman in polite contexts. In contemporary Japanese it appears primarily in writing, biographies, or ceremonial language; in casual speech speakers typically use 妻 or 奥さん.

Type

Noun (名詞)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • Formal term for a wife or married woman in written or ceremonial contexts.
  • Used as an honorific title for a woman in formal speech, equivalent to madam.
  • In historical or ceremonial settings, can refer to a noblewoman or the wife of a high-ranking person.

Composition

  • 夫: husband, male partner
  • 人: person
  • Together they form a compound that refers to a married woman, especially in formal language

Usage

Used in formal writing, biographies, news reporting about individuals, and ceremonial language to refer to a married woman; not common in casual conversation; when referring to one’s wife in everyday talk, use 奥さん or 妻; in historical texts it can denote a woman of status.
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: think of 夫 as a man and 人 as a person; together they signify the partner in a family, i.e., the wife, in formal usage.

Variations

  • tsuma — wife (everyday usage)
  • okusan — polite/formal address for wife or madam
  • fujin — formal/old-fashioned term for a woman; synonymy with 夫人 in certain contexts

Example Phrases

  • 街のカフェで 夫人 に 挨拶 した。
    Machi no kafe de fujin ni aisatsu shita.
    I greeted the lady at a cafe in town.
    Lista:
    • 街のカフェで (Machi no kafe de) – at a town cafe
    • 夫人 (fujin) – the lady
    • に (ni) – to
    • 挨拶 (aisatsu) – greeting
    • した (shita) – did
    A formal, polite term for a specific woman; 「夫人」 marks respect.
夫人