How Chinese name their spouse When turn “Husband” and “wife” into Chinese are “zhang4 fu’ and “qi1 zi”. However, in daily communication, most of Chinese don’t use these words to name their spouse.

Wendy

How Chinese name their spouse When turn “Husband” and “wife” into Chinese are “zhang4 fu’ and “qi1 zi”. However, in daily communication, most of Chinese don’t use these words to name their spouse. After 1949, the Chinese government encouraged people using “ai1 ren” (lover, 爱人) to name their spouse, both for husband and wife. In the middle of 80s’ last century, Hong Kong television series were popular in Chinese mainland. The characters in there called their husband “lao3 gong1 (老公)”, their wife “lao3 po2(老婆)”. Since then, this kind of address gradually be used by people in Chinese mainland. Nowadays, even many young people address their boyfriend and girlfriend in this way. There is another way to name spouse which is “xian1 sheng(先生)” for husband and “tai4 tai（太太）” for wife. I think it seems more elegant. This kind of name was used before 1949 and nowadays is still currently used by Chinese in Taiwan. In Chinese mainland, there are still some people like to name their spouse in this way, especially in formal situation. So, as a foreigner, when you learn how to name your spouse, you should decide which kind of name you want to use. Using “lao3 gong1, lao3 po2” to be more casual, or using “xian1 sheng, tai4 tai” to be more elegant. It’s up to you.

Mar 3, 2015 8:31 AM

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How Chinese name their spouse Spousal Monikers

When turn “Husband” and “wife” into The Chinese translation for husband and wife are “zhang4 fu’ (丈夫) and “qi1 zi” (妻子). However, in daily communication, most of Chinese don’t do not use these words to name their spouse terms for each other.

After 1949, the Chinese Government encouraged the usage of people using “ai1 ren” (lover, 爱人) to each other instead.name their spouse, both for husband and wife.

In the middle of 1980s’ last century, Hong Kong television series were popular in Chinese the Mainland. The characters in there called their husband Cantonese use “lao3 gong1 (老公)”, for the husband and their wife “lao3 po2" (老婆) for the wife”. Ever since then, this kind of address they gradually had become very popular be used by people in Chinese mainland. Nowadays, even many the young addresses each other people address their boyfriend and girlfriend in this way.

There is another way to name spouse which is Other terms include “xian1 sheng (先生), literally "born before [me]" since the husband is always older. As for the wife, it is )” for husband and “tai4 tai（太太, "grander than the grand"）” for wife. To me, they are I think it seems more elegant. This kind of name was were used before 1949. and nowadays is They are still currently used by Chinese in Taiwan and other Chinese speaking communities. In Chinese However, they are still used on the Mainland, there are still some people like to name their spouse in this way, especially in a formal situation. [or "... in formal situations"]

So, as a foreigner, As a non-Chinese while when you learning how to name call your spouse, you should decide under which kind of name what situation/circumstance they are you want to be used. Using “lao3 gong1 lao3 po2” to be more casual, or using “xian1 sheng, tai4 tai” to be more elegant. It’s up to you. No need for this last sentence. You have already told us before. Repeating it here, 太囉嗦了.