phu phụ
[fu˧˧ fu˧˨ʔ]
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
(noun) married couple, husband and wife
NounRegister: formal
Where it’s used:
Used
Toàn quốc & hải ngoại · Vietnam-wide & diaspora
Examples
Mọi người sẽ chờ đôi phu phụ về rồi mới cùng nhau chè chén đến sáng.They would wait for the couple to return before starting their drinking until the morning.
Wiktionary example (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Sources & notes
Imported from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-29); community review pending. source ↗
Equivalents & related
Near equivalent
husband and wife
A fixed-order word pair (irreversible binomial); full definition pending editorial review.
English
Near equivalent
vợ chồng
(noun) husband and wife
Tiếng Việt · via husband and wife
Near equivalent
ái ân
(verb) living together as husband and wife in harmony and affection
Tiếng Việt · via husband and wife
Near equivalent
ăn nằm
(verb) to live as husband and wife
Tiếng Việt · via husband and wife
Near equivalent
sui gia
(noun) union between families by marriage; parents of husband and wife; co-parents-in-law
Tiếng Việt · via husband and wife
Near equivalent
thông gia
(noun) parents of husband and wife; co-parents-in-law
Tiếng Việt · via husband and wife
Near equivalent
tam cương
(noun) phu phụ (夫婦, “husband and wife”)
Tiếng Việt · via husband and wife
Near equivalent
ngũ luân
(noun) phu phụ (夫婦, “husband and wife”)
Tiếng Việt · via husband and wife
Lighter cards are two steps away in the meaning graph — equivalents of equivalents, reached via the entry shown on the card.
Common questions
What does “phu phụ” mean?
(noun) married couple, husband and wife
Is “phu phụ” formal or informal?
phu phụ is generally formal.
What is the closest equivalent?
“husband and wife” (English) — near equivalent.