pèi'ǒu: 配偶 - Spouse, Partner (in marriage)

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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.

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 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.

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).

• 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.