配偶者

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 配偶者 combines 配偶, a marital partner, with 者, a person, and is read はいぐうしゃ.
• Basic usage: This noun refers to a spouse without specifying gender in contexts such as an application form or a formal invitation.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Paired with 本人
  • In 本人と配偶者, the person concerned and that person's spouse are two distinct parties. 配偶者 does not include the person concerned.
• Unlike gendered family terms
  • Unlike terms corresponding to husband or wife, 配偶者 is a neutral relationship label by itself.