太太

tài tai

HSK 2Noun (名)

Basic Meaning

This usage is very old-fashioned and found primarily in historical contexts or period dramas.

(historical) the wife of an official

旧时称官吏的妻子。

Sentences:

在(zài)这(zhè)部(bù)古(gǔ)装(zhuāng)剧(jù)里(lǐ)，知(zhī)府(fǔ)太(tài)太(tai)的(de)打(dǎ)扮(bàn)非(fēi)常(cháng)华(huá)丽(lì)。
In this historical drama, the prefect's wife is dressed very lavishly.

A form of address used by servants or staff in a historical or formal household setting.

(historical) madam; mistress of the house (as used by servants)

旧时仆人等称女主人。

Sentences:

老(lǎo)爷(yé)，太(tài)太(tai)请(qǐng)您(nín)去(qù)客(kè)厅(tīng)。
Sir, the Madam asks you to go to the living room.

A common and respectful way to address a married woman. For example, 王太太 (Mrs. Wang), 张太太 (Mrs. Zhang).

Mrs. (a respectful title for a married woman, used with her husband's surname)

对已婚妇女的尊称（带丈夫的姓）。

Words:

张太太王太太

Sentences:

张(zhāng)太(tài)太(tai)，您(nín)好(hǎo)！好(hǎo)久(jiǔ)不(bú)见(jiàn)。
Hello, Mrs. Zhang! Long time no see.
我(wǒ)们(men)邀(yāo)请(qǐng)王(wáng)太(tài)太(tai)也(yě)来(lái)参(cān)加(jiā)聚(jù)会(huì)。
We invited Mrs. Wang to the party as well.

Common in phrases like 我太太 (my wife), 你太太 (your wife), 他太太 (his wife). Can sound more formal and respectful than 老婆.

wife (used to refer to someone else's or one's own wife, always preceded by a possessive pronoun)

称别人的妻子或对人称自己的妻子（都带人称代词做定语）。

Synonyms:

妻子内助浑家内人媳妇

Sentences:

我(wǒ)太(tài)太(tai)今(jīn)天(tiān)下(xià)班(bān)比(bǐ)较(jiào)早(zǎo)。
My wife got off work early today.
他(tā)太(tài)太(tai)做(zuò)的(de)菜(cài)特(tè)别(bié)好(hǎo)吃(chī)。
His wife's cooking is especially delicious.

too