When combined, 前 (qián) + 妻 (qī) literally translates to “previous wife,” a straightforward and logical construction.
While 前妻 (qiánqī) has a direct one-to-one translation with the English “ex-wife,” the cultural context surrounding it can be different. Traditionally, divorce in Chinese culture was highly stigmatized, viewed as a failure to maintain family harmony and a cause of “losing face” (丢面子 - diū miànzi) for everyone involved. Among older generations or in more rural areas, discussing one's 前妻 might still be a sensitive topic, handled with discretion. However, in modern, urban China, divorce rates have risen and the social stigma has significantly lessened. For younger generations, discussing a 前妻 is often as open and straightforward as it is in the West. The term itself is neutral; any negative or positive connotation comes from the speaker's tone and the context of the conversation. The key difference from Western culture is the lingering influence of “face” (面子 - miànzi), which might lead people to avoid bringing up the topic unless it's necessary, so as not to cause potential embarrassment.
前妻 (qiánqī) is a universally understood and used term.