Translation guide
A woman who lives with a man in a relationship similar to marriage but with lower status than a wife, often in historical or cultural contexts. In Japanese, the most common term is 側室 (そくしつ), but other words exist depending on the nuance.
A woman in a recognized secondary relationship, especially in pre-modern East Asian contexts.
Standard term for a concubine of a noble or samurai. Neutral and widely understood.
将軍には正室と数人の側室がいた。
The shogun had a legal wife and several concubines.
General term for a mistress or concubine, often with a slightly negative or informal nuance. Can be used in historical or modern contexts.
彼は妾を囲っていた。
He kept a concubine.
Literary term for a beloved concubine, emphasizing affection. Often used in historical novels.
王は愛妾に美しい衣装を贈った。
The king gave his beloved concubine a beautiful garment.
Specifically referring to the Chinese imperial system, where ranks of consorts existed.
Used for imperial consorts in Chinese and Japanese contexts. Often translated as 'concubine' but can also mean 'princess' or 'consort' depending on context.
皇帝には多くの妃がいた。
The emperor had many concubines.
Refers to an empress or high-ranking consort, not exactly a concubine but sometimes translated as such in loose contexts.
A woman in a long-term extramarital relationship, often financially supported.
Common modern term for a mistress or lover, not necessarily a concubine but often used in similar contexts.
彼は愛人にマンションを買い与えた。
He bought his mistress an apartment.
Colloquial, slightly dated term for a mistress or 'second wife'. Often used humorously or in period settings.
社長は二号さんと週末を過ごしているらしい。
The company president seems to spend weekends with his mistress.
In contemporary Japan, the concept of a 'concubine' is largely historical. Using 側室 or 妾 may sound archaic or overly dramatic. For modern extramarital relationships, 愛人 is more natural.
妾 (めかけ) implies a recognized secondary partner in a historical setting, while 愛人 (あいじん) is a modern term for a lover or mistress, often with a negative connotation of infidelity.
The empress was the highest-ranking woman in the palace.