wife and children; sometimes refers only to the wife
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 5 examplesnoun
wife and children; one's family (specifically spouse and offspring)
literaryA traditional term referring to a man's immediate family, especially in older or literary contexts. Can sometimes be used more narrowly to mean just the wife.
Tā他
wài外
chū出
móu谋
shēng生
，
liú留
xià下
jiā家
xiǎo小
zài在
xiāng乡
xià下
。
He went out to seek a livelihood, leaving his wife and children in the countryside.
Tā他
xīn心
xì系
jiā家
xiǎo小
，
gōng工
zuò作
gé格
wài外
nǔ努
lì力
。
With his family on his mind, he works especially hard.
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Zhàn战
luàn乱
shí时
qī期
，
tā他
wèi未
néng能
zhào照
gù顾
hǎo好
jiā家
xiǎo小
，
shēn深
gǎn感
kuì愧
jiù疚
。
During the war, he was unable to take good care of his family and felt deeply remorseful.
noun
wife (in some contexts)
literaryIn some older or contextual uses, can specifically refer to one's wife.
Tā他
shàng尚
wèi未
qǔ娶
jiā家
xiǎo小
。
He has not yet taken a wife.
Zài在
gǔ古
dài代
xiǎo小
shuō说
zhōng中
，
tā他
cháng常
chēng称
zì自
jǐ己
de的
qī妻
zi子
wéi为
“
jiā家
xiǎo小
”
。
In ancient novels, he often referred to his own wife as 'jiāxiǎo'.