Meaning
“Ne-san nyobo” (older-wife marriage) is a Japanese term that refers to a married couple in which the wife is older than the husband.
It often carries a warm or positive nuance, implying that the wife is more mature, reliable, or supportive, much like an “older sister” figure to her husband.
In Japan, the term ne-san nyobo doesn’t only describe the age difference.
It can also suggest a certain personality — the wife tends to take the lead, manage things wisely, and look after her husband kindly, similar to an older sister in a family.
Examples of alternative phrasing in English
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“a marriage with an older wife”
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“an older wife–younger husband couple”
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“She’s his older wife.”
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To say casually:
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“He married an older woman.”
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“She’s like a big-sister type wife.”（Emphasise the nuance）
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Example sentences
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My wife is three years older than me, and she loves to remind me every birthday.
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They say an older wife brings stability and wisdom to the marriage.
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He’s proud to have a mature, confident woman by his side.
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Age doesn’t matter when you laugh at the same stupid jokes.
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People call her an “older wife,” but to me, she’s just perfect.
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My friends teased me at first, but now they envy how well we get along.
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She already had her life figured out when I was still finding my path.
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Her experience helps us avoid a lot of unnecessary drama.
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I love that she’s the boss at home — and honestly, I prefer it that way.
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Some call it a “reverse age gap,” I call it balance.
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When we argue, she wins — not because she’s older, but because she’s right.
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She says she’s my wife, not my babysitter, but sometimes I’m not sure.
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We joke that she married a “project,” and I’m still under construction.
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Her confidence was what attracted me from the beginning.
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My parents were surprised at first, but they adore her now.
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She teaches me patience, and I teach her how to use new apps.
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I love when people assume we’re the same age — it makes her smile.
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In our home, experience beats youth every time.
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Being married to an older woman means I never stop learning.
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Age difference? More like perspective difference — and that’s what keeps it fun.
