婆媳 (póxí) is a compound noun referring specifically to the relationship between a mother-in-law and her daughter-in-law. The first character 婆 means 'mother-in-law' — literally 'old woman', used respectfully for the husband’s mother. The second character 媳 means 'daughter-in-law' — traditionally denoting a woman who has married into the family and become part of her husband’s household. Together, 婆媳 functions as a fixed pairing, often implying the social dynamics, expectations, and potential tensions common in traditional Chinese family structures.

This term appears frequently in discussions about family harmony, intergenerational communication, and marriage life. It is rarely used to refer to the individuals separately; instead, it highlights their relational role as a unit. You’ll encounter it in advice columns, TV dramas, sociological studies, and everyday conversations about family life — especially when addressing challenges like differing values, household responsibilities, or parenting styles.