Translation and Meaning of: 家内 - kanai

On this page, we will study the meaning of the Japanese word 家内 (kanai) and its translation into English. Let's see their different meanings, example phrases, explanations, etymology and the similar words.

Romaji: kanai

Kana: かない

Type: noun

L: jlpt-n4

家内

Translation / Meaning: esposa

Meaning in English: wife

Definition: Among family members, mainly women from the family and relatives.

Sumário
- Etymology
- Vocabulary
- Writing
- Phrases

Explanation and Etymology - (家内) kanai

The word「家内」(kanai) is a term traditionally used in the Japanese family context to refer to one's wife. The expression results from the combination of the kanji「家」(ie), which means "house," and「内」(uchi), which means "interior" or "inside," indicating someone who is a part of the home. This term is often used in Japanese to show respect and humility when talking about one's own wife in public or social situations, paralleling the expressions "housewife" or "queen of the home" in other cultures.

In the etymology of 「家内」, we can observe the use of the kanji that compose the word and their relation to the ancient Japanese family structure. The kanji 「家」represents the idea of home or family, frequently invoked in words that denote familial relationships or spaces, such as「家庭」(katei, home/family) and「家族」(kazoku, family). On the other hand, the kanji 「内」is widely used to convey the idea of something internal or private, also found in terms like「内部」(naibu, internal) and「内側」(uchigawa, inside).

Historically, the use of「家内」reflects the traditional view of Japanese families, where the woman took care of the household and internal family matters, while the man generally played the role of external provider. This caregiver role assigned to the wife was an important pillar in the functioning of traditional Japanese households. However, it is important to mention that Japanese society has evolved over the years, and the use of the term「家内」has become less common, being replaced by more modern expressions like「妻」(tsuma), also meaning wife without the more traditional connotations.

Nowadays, many Japanese couples prefer other forms of treatment that reflect equality in the relationship, using terms like 「パートナー」(paatonaa, partner) or simply calling by the given name, which are considered more neutral and modern. Despite these changes, 「家内」still has its place in more formal contexts or among older generations that maintain the traditions in the ways they refer to the figure of the wife.

Synonyms and similar words

妻 (tsuma) - Wife (common term to refer to the spouse)
嫁 (yome) - Daughter who got married (also used as wife in informal contexts)
奥さん (okusan) - Wife (respectful or formal term)
奥様 (okusama) - Wife (very respectful; used to refer to someone else's wife)
女房 (nyoubou) - Wife (older or informal term; with a connotation of affection)
家庭の女房 (katei no nyoubou) - Housewife (focus on the role within the home)
女性の配偶者 (josei no haiguusha) - Female partner (general term for wife)
家庭の女性 (katei no josei) - Housewife (can refer to any woman who plays a role in the household)
家の中の女性 (ie no naka no josei) - Woman inside the house (focus on female presence in the home)
家庭の女性の役割を果たす人 (katei no josei no yakuwari o hatasu hito) - Person who plays the role of a woman in the home (emphasizes responsibility)
家庭の女性の中心人物 (katei no josei no chuu shin ninbutsu) - Central figure among homemakers (focus on female leadership)
家庭の女性の中心的存在 (katei no josei no chuushin teki sonzai) - Central female presence in the family (connotation of importance)