In Chinese culture, the role of the 儿媳 (érxí) is traditionally more profound and structured than the Western concept of a “daughter-in-law.” Historically, in a patrilineal society, a woman would marry into her husband's family. Her primary identity shifted to being part of his lineage. As the 儿媳, her key responsibilities included: # Showing Filial Piety (孝顺, xiàoshùn): This meant serving and respecting her parents-in-law, often with more deference than she might show her own parents. # Continuing the Family Line: Producing a male heir was traditionally her most crucial duty. # Managing the Household: She was expected to take over household chores under the supervision of her mother-in-law. This dynamic creates the famous and often-dramatized 婆媳关系 (póxí guānxi), the relationship between the mother-in-law (婆婆, pópo) and the daughter-in-law (儿媳). For centuries, this has been the central, and frequently most challenging, relationship within a multi-generational household. Comparison with Western Culture: In most Western cultures, a “daughter-in-law” is simply a descriptive term for a son's wife. While in-law relationships exist, there is no ingrained cultural script of “joining” the husband's family in the same way. The focus is on the new nuclear couple forming their own independent unit. For the Chinese 儿媳, the expectation was traditionally to integrate into and serve an existing family hierarchy.
While the most rigid traditional expectations have softened, the term 儿媳 (érxí) and its associated concepts remain relevant.
The most significant point of confusion for learners is the difference between 儿媳 (érxí) and 媳妇 (xífu).
1. Wife: In many parts of China (especially the north), this is the most common and colloquial way for a man to refer to his own wife. (e.g., “我媳妇” - my wife).
2. **Daughter-in-law:** It can also be used to mean daughter-in-law, similar to **儿媳**. It is often seen as slightly more colloquial or affectionate than **儿媳**.
Common Mistake: A man referring to his own wife as his 儿媳 (érxí).