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| 配偶 [2025/08/10 07:15] – created xiaoer | 配偶 [Unknown date] (current) – removed - external edit (Unknown date) 127.0.0.1 |
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| ====== pèi'ǒu: 配偶 - Spouse, Partner (in marriage) ====== | |
| ===== Quick Summary ===== | |
| * **Keywords:** pèi'ǒu, 配偶, Chinese for spouse, legal partner in Chinese, husband in Chinese, wife in Chinese, marriage in China, Chinese vocabulary, 配偶 meaning, pèi'ǒu vs àirén, Chinese legal terms. | |
| * **Summary:** "配偶" (pèi'ǒu) is the formal, legal, and gender-neutral term for "spouse" in Mandarin Chinese. Primarily used in official documents, legal contexts, and formal settings, it is the equivalent of "spouse" on a tax form or visa application. While not used in casual conversation, understanding "配偶" is essential for navigating formal life events in China and grasping the official view of marriage as a legally recognized partnership. | |
| ===== Core Meaning ===== | |
| * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** pèi'ǒu | |
| * **Part of Speech:** Noun | |
| * **HSK Level:** HSK 6 | |
| * **Concise Definition:** A person's legally married husband or wife; a spouse. | |
| * **In a Nutshell:** Think of "配偶" (pèi'ǒu) as the most official and serious word for a spouse. You wouldn't use it to affectionately call your partner at home, just as you wouldn't call your partner "my legal spouse" in English. It's a bureaucratic and legal term that emphasizes the formal status of a married relationship. It's neutral, objective, and lacks the warmth of everyday terms. | |
| ===== Character Breakdown ===== | |
| * **配 (pèi):** This character's core meaning is "to match," "to pair," or "to fit together." It evokes the image of two compatible parts forming a whole. It's also used in words like `配合 (pèihé)` - to cooperate. | |
| * **偶 (ǒu):** This character means "a pair," "a couple," or "an even number." It's related to the idea of a mate or a partner, as seen in the word `偶像 (ǒuxiàng)` - idol. | |
| When combined, **配偶 (pèi'ǒu)** literally means "a matched pair." This beautifully and logically illustrates the concept of two individuals who are formally and legally joined as a couple. | |
| ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== | |
| The term "配偶" (pèi'ǒu) reflects the importance of marriage as a formal, legally-binding institution in Chinese society. Its common usage in officialdom underscores that marriage is not just a private emotional commitment but a public, social contract with specific rights and responsibilities. | |
| A key cultural contrast is with the broad English term "partner." In modern Western cultures, "partner" is often used for both married spouses and long-term, unmarried cohabitants. **"配偶," however, is almost exclusively used for individuals who are legally married.** This distinction highlights that, from a formal and legal standpoint in China, there is a very clear line between being married and not. Using this term signals a recognition of this official status, which is tied to traditional values of family stability and social order. | |
| ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== | |
| You will most frequently encounter "配偶" in written form or in highly formal situations. | |
| **Formal & Legal Contexts (Very Common):** | |
| * **Filling out forms:** Visa applications, tax documents, census forms, insurance policies, and bank applications will all use a field for "配偶姓名" (pèi'ǒu xìngmíng) - Spouse's Name. | |
| * **Legal proceedings:** In discussions of inheritance, divorce, or child custody, "配偶" is the standard term used by lawyers, judges, and in legal documents. | |
| * **Official Announcements:** A company announcing benefits for an employee's family might refer to their "配偶." | |
| **Formal Spoken Contexts (Less Common):** | |
| * A doctor might ask, "您的配偶知道您的情况吗？" (Nín de pèi'ǒu zhīdào nín de qíngkuàng ma?) - "Does your spouse know about your condition?" | |
| * A news anchor might report, "The ambassador attended the dinner with their spouse." | |
| It is almost never used in casual, everyday conversation between friends, family, or partners themselves. Calling your own husband or wife your "配偶" in a casual setting would sound cold, distant, and robotic. | |
| ===== Example Sentences ===== | |
| * **Example 1:** | |
| * 在申请表上，您需要填写您**配偶**的姓名和职业。 | |
| * Pinyin: Zài shēnqǐngbiǎo shàng, nín xūyào tiánxiě nín **pèi'ǒu** de xìngmíng hé zhíyè. | |
| * English: On the application form, you need to fill in your **spouse's** name and occupation. | |
| * Analysis: This is the most classic and common usage of "配偶"—on a formal document. | |
| * **Example 2:** | |
| * 根据法律，**配偶**是第一顺序继承人。 | |
| * Pinyin: Gēnjù fǎlǜ, **pèi'ǒu** shì dì-yī shùnxù jìchéngrén. | |
| * English: According to the law, the **spouse** is the first-in-line heir. | |
| * Analysis: This sentence demonstrates the term's use in a legal context, specifically concerning inheritance rights. | |
| * **Example 3:** | |
| * 选择一个合适的**配偶**是人生中的一件大事。 | |
| * Pinyin: Xuǎnzé yīgè héshì de **pèi'ǒu** shì rénshēng zhōng de yī jiàn dàshì. | |
| * English: Choosing a suitable **spouse** is a major event in one's life. | |
| * Analysis: Here, "配偶" is used in a more general, slightly philosophical sense to discuss the concept of a life partner. It's more formal than saying "choosing a husband/wife." | |
| * **Example 4:** | |
| * 他的公司为员工及其**配偶**提供健康保险。 | |
| * Pinyin: Tā de gōngsī wèi yuángōng jí qí **pèi'ǒu** tígōng jiànkāng bǎoxiǎn. | |
| * English: His company provides health insurance for employees and their **spouses**. | |
| * Analysis: This is a typical example from a corporate or HR context, referring to employee benefits. | |
| * **Example 5:** | |
| * 如果您要申请家庭签证，您必须提供与**配偶**的关系证明。 | |
| * Pinyin: Rúguǒ nín yào shēnqǐng jiātíng qiānzhèng, nín bìxū tígōng yǔ **pèi'ǒu** de guānxì zhèngmíng. | |
| * English: If you are applying for a family visa, you must provide proof of relationship with your **spouse**. | |
| * Analysis: This highlights its use in immigration and official government procedures. | |
| * **Example 6:** | |
| * 这位外交官与他的**配偶**一同出席了晚宴。 | |
| * Pinyin: Zhè wèi wàijiāoguān yǔ tā de **pèi'ǒu** yītóng chūxíle wǎnyàn. | |
| * English: This diplomat attended the banquet together with his **spouse**. | |
| * Analysis: A common, formal way to refer to someone's spouse in news reporting or official settings. The term is gender-neutral, so this could refer to a husband or wife. | |
| * **Example 7:** | |
| * 在进行重大手术前，医院通常需要征得患者**配偶**的同意。 | |
| * Pinyin: Zài jìnxíng zhòngdà shǒushù qián, yīyuàn tōngcháng xūyào zhēngdé huànzhě **pèi'ǒu** de tóngyì. | |
| * English: Before a major surgery, hospitals usually need to obtain the consent of the patient's **spouse**. | |
| * Analysis: This shows the term's use in a formal medical context. | |
| * **Example 8:** | |
| * 婚姻法保护**配偶**双方的合法权益。 | |
| * Pinyin: Hūnyīn fǎ bǎohù **pèi'ǒu** shuāngfāng de héfǎ quányì. | |
| * English: The marriage law protects the legal rights and interests of both **spouses**. | |
| * Analysis: Another clear legal example, emphasizing the mutuality of the term. | |
| * **Example 9:** | |
| * 他正在办理手续，以便他的**配偶**能来中国和他一起生活。 | |
| * Pinyin: Tā zhèngzài bànlǐ shǒuxù, yǐbiàn tā de **pèi'ǒu** néng lái Zhōngguó hé tā yīqǐ shēnghuó. | |
| * English: He is going through the procedures so that his **spouse** can come to China to live with him. | |
| * Analysis: A practical example related to immigration or residency permits. | |
| * **Example 10:** | |
| * 在填写紧急联系人时，许多人会选择自己的**配偶**。 | |
| * Pinyin: Zài tiánxiě jǐnjí liánxìrén shí, xǔduō rén huì xuǎnzé zìjǐ de **pèi'ǒu**. | |
| * English: When filling in an emergency contact, many people choose their **spouse**. | |
| * Analysis: A common, real-world scenario where you would encounter this formal term. | |
| ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== | |
| The most significant mistake for learners is using "配偶" in casual conversation. It creates a sense of emotional distance. | |
| * **Incorrect:** (To your friend) "我昨天和我的配偶去看了电影。" (Wǒ zuótiān hé wǒ de pèi'ǒu qù kànle diànyǐng.) | |
| * **Why it's wrong:** This sounds like you're reading from a legal report about your own life. It's unnaturally formal and cold. | |
| * **Correct (Casual):** "我昨天和我**老公**/我**老婆**去看了电影。" (Wǒ zuótiān hé wǒ lǎogōng / wǒ lǎopó qù kànle diànyǐng.) - "I went to the movies with my hubby/wifey yesterday." | |
| **Key Differences between Spouse-related Terms:** | |
| * **配偶 (pèi'ǒu):** **The Formal/Legal Spouse.** Use on paper, not in person. | |
| * [[老公]] (lǎogōng) / [[老婆]] (lǎopó): **The Everyday Husband/Wife.** The most common, standard, and affectionate terms used in mainland China today. | |
| * [[爱人]] (àirén): **The "Comrade" Spouse.** Literally "lover," it was promoted after 1949 as a gender-neutral, comradely term for "spouse." Today, it is mainly used by older generations or in very formal, official speeches. For younger people, it can sound old-fashioned or be confused with "a lover/mistress," so it's best to avoid using it until you have a good feel for its context. | |
| * [[先生]] (xiānsheng) / [[太太]] (tàitai): **The Respectful Husband/Wife.** These mean "Mr./husband" and "Mrs./wife." They are more formal than 老公/老婆 and are often used to refer politely to *someone else's* spouse (e.g., "王先生" - Mr. Wang / Wang's husband; "李太太" - Mrs. Li / Li's wife). | |
| ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== | |
| * [[夫妻]] (fūqī) - A married couple; husband and wife. This term emphasizes the two people as a single unit. | |
| * [[婚姻]] (hūnyīn) - Marriage; matrimony. Refers to the institution or state of being married. | |
| * [[结婚]] (jiéhūn) - To get married; to marry. The action of entering into a marriage. | |
| * [[离婚]] (líhūn) - To divorce. The action of legally dissolving a marriage. | |
| * [[老公]] (lǎogōng) - Husband (informal, most common). | |
| * [[老婆]] (lǎopó) - Wife (informal, most common). | |
| * [[爱人]] (àirén) - Spouse (used by older generations) or "lover." | |
| * [[家庭]] (jiātíng) - Family; household. The broader unit that a `配偶` is a part of. | |
| * [[先生]] (xiānsheng) - Husband; Mr. A more polite and slightly formal way to refer to a husband. | |
| * [[太太]] (tàitai) - Wife; Mrs. A polite and slightly formal way to refer to a wife. | |