okusan

Okusan is a Japanese term that generally translates to "wife" or "Mrs." when referring to someone else's wife. It is a polite and respectful way to address or refer to another person's spouse. The term is derived from the honorific suffix "-san," which is a common polite suffix in Japanese.

The usage of "okusan" is typically reserved for referring to the wives of people one does not know intimately or when speaking in a formal or semi-formal context. It is not generally used to refer to one's own wife, for whom terms like "tsuma" (wife) or "kanai" (housewife) might be used, depending on the context and level of formality.

In certain contexts, particularly in older literature or more traditional settings, "okusan" could also carry connotations of a housewife or the mistress of a household. However, in modern Japanese, its primary function remains as a respectful term for another person's wife. The specific nuance can depend on the region and the speaker's social circle, but the core meaning of politeness and respect towards another's spouse is consistent. Understanding "okusan" is key to navigating polite social interactions in Japanese.