wife; boss's wife
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 6 examplesnoun
wife
dialectA dialectal and somewhat informal term for one's own wife, emphasizing her managerial role in the household.
Wǒ我
děi得
huí回
jiā家
wèn问
wen问
wǒ我
men们
nèi内
dāng当
jiā家
。
I have to go home and ask my wife.
Wǒ我
jiā家
shì是
nèi内
dāng当
jiā家
guǎn管
qián钱
。
In my family, the wife manages the money.
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Tā他
zài在
wài外
miàn面
wēi威
fēng风
，
huí回
jiā家
zuì最
tīng听
nèi内
dāng当
jiā家
de的
huà话
。
He may put on a brave face outside, but at home he listens to his wife the most.
noun
boss's wife; employer's wife; mistress of the house (for servants/employees)
dialectSpecifically refers to the wife of the master, boss, or landlord, especially from the perspective of servants, employees, or tenants.
Zhè这
shì事
wǒ我
zuò做
bù不
liǎo了
zhǔ主
，
děi得
qǐng请
shì示
nèi内
dāng当
jiā家
。
I can't decide on this matter, I need to ask the boss's wife.
Lǎo老
Lǐ李
shì是
guǎn管
jiā家
，
nèi内
dāng当
jiā家
fēn吩
fù咐
shén什
me么
tā他
jiù就
zuò做
shén什
me么
。
Old Li is the butler; whatever the mistress of the house orders, he does.
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Jiù旧
shí时
jiā家
lǐ里
de的
yōng佣
rén人
dōu都
hěn很
pà怕
nèi内
dāng当
jiā家
。
In the old days, the servants in the house were all very afraid of the master's wife.