Meaning and Usage
The word '배우자' specifically refers to a spouse or life partner, typically a husband or wife. It is a formal and neutral term used in various contexts including legal, social, and personal conversations.
Common Contexts
You will often hear '배우자' in discussions about family, health, legal rights, and social benefits. It is more formal than simply saying '남편' (husband) or '아내' (wife), and is often used when the gender of the spouse is not specified or when a neutral term is preferred.
Collocations and Patterns
- 배우자와 함께 (with spouse): used when talking about activities or events involving one's spouse.
- 배우자의 건강 (spouse's health): common in medical or personal concern contexts.
- 법적으로 배우자 (legally spouse): used in legal or official contexts.
Register and Politeness
'배우자' is polite and formal, suitable for written language, official documents, and respectful speech. It is less common in casual conversation where people might use '남편' or '아내'.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse '배우자' with '배우' (actor). Remember that '배우자' always refers to a spouse, while '배우' means an actor or actress. Also, avoid using '배우자' when you want to specify husband or wife informally; use '남편' or '아내' instead.