qiánfū: 前夫 - Ex-husband

Keywords: 前夫, qianfu, ex-husband in Chinese, former husband Chinese, how to say ex husband in Mandarin, Chinese word for ex husband, divorce in China, 前妻, qianqi, Chinese family vocabulary.

Summary: Learn how to say “ex-husband” in Chinese with the term 前夫 (qiánfū). This guide breaks down the characters, explains the cultural context of divorce in modern China, and provides numerous practical example sentences. Discover how this simple and direct term is used in everyday conversation and understand its relationship to concepts like family, remarriage, and modern Chinese society.

Pinyin (with tone marks): qiánfū

Part of Speech: Noun

HSK Level: HSK 4

Concise Definition: A woman's former husband; an ex-husband.

In a Nutshell: 前夫 (qiánfū) is the standard and most common way to say “ex-husband” in Mandarin Chinese. It is a neutral, factual term used to describe a man to whom a woman was previously married. While the word itself is straightforward, the topic of divorce can still be sensitive in some social circles, reflecting changing cultural norms in China.

前 (qián): This character means “before,” “former,” or “front.” In this context, it acts as a prefix to indicate a past status, much like the “ex-” in “ex-husband.”

夫 (fū): This character means “husband” or “man.” It is a component of the formal word for husband, `丈夫 (zhàngfu)`.

When combined, 前 (qián) and 夫 (fū) literally mean “former husband,” creating a clear and logical term that is easy for learners to remember.

In Chinese culture, the concept of family is paramount, and historically, divorce was highly stigmatized. The ideal was a marriage that lasted a lifetime. However, with rapid modernization and changing social values, divorce rates in China have risen significantly, making it a more common and accepted part of life, especially in urban areas.

The term 前夫 (qiánfū) itself is a reflection of this reality. It's a functional, neutral descriptor. Unlike in some Western contexts where discussing ex-partners can be a very open and casual topic, in China, bringing up one's 前夫 might be reserved for closer friends or when contextually necessary (e.g., explaining a child's parentage).

Among older, more traditional generations, the topic might still be broached with more discretion. For younger generations, it's generally much less of a taboo. The key takeaway is that while the word is simple, the cultural sensitivity around the topic of a failed marriage is a bit higher than in the West, though this gap is closing quickly.

前夫 (qiánfū) is used in a wide range of situations, from casual conversation to formal legal documents. It is the go-to term with no common slang alternatives.

Formality: The term is appropriate for both formal and informal settings. You would use it when talking to friends, family, colleagues, or even in a courtroom.

Not a False Friend: 前夫 (qiánfū) is a direct and accurate translation of “ex-husband.” There are no major hidden meanings. The primary nuance is cultural, not linguistic—be mindful of the context and your relationship with the listener before discussing personal topics like divorce.

Using it Too Casually: While acceptable, bringing up your 前夫 in a first meeting or with a new acquaintance might be seen as overly personal, especially compared to Western conversational norms. It's best to wait until a relationship is more established.

前妻 (qiánqī) - Ex-wife. The direct female counterpart to 前夫.

离婚 (líhūn) - To divorce; the act of divorcing. This is the verb that leads to having a 前夫.

丈夫 (zhàngfu) - Husband. The formal and complete word for husband.

现任 (xiànrèn) - Current (in a position). Often used to distinguish a current partner from a former one, e.g., `现任丈夫 (xiànrèn zhàngfu)`.

再婚 (zàihūn) - To remarry.

前男友 (qián nányǒu) - Ex-boyfriend. Shows the same grammatical pattern with `前`.

单亲家庭 (dānqīn jiātíng) - Single-parent family. A social concept closely related to divorce.

分手 (fēnshǒu) - To break up. The term used for non-married couples.

夫妻 (fūqī) - Husband and wife; a married couple.

配偶 (pèi'ǒu) - Spouse. A more formal, gender-neutral term used in legal contexts.