‘儿媳’ (ér xí) literally combines ‘儿’ (ér), meaning ‘son’, and ‘媳’ (xí), meaning ‘wife of a son’ or ‘daughter-in-law’. It is a formal, respectful kinship term used to refer specifically to the wife of one’s son. Unlike more colloquial terms like ‘媳妇’ (xí fu), which can mean ‘wife’ in general (especially in northern dialects) or ‘daughter-in-law’ depending on context, ‘儿媳’ is unambiguous and always denotes the familial relationship from the parents’ perspective.

This word is commonly used in written Chinese, official documents, family discussions, and formal speech—especially when emphasizing lineage or social roles within traditional family structures. It carries a tone of respect and propriety, and is rarely used in casual conversation among peers. In modern urban settings, its usage may be less frequent than ‘媳妇’, but it remains standard in legal, ceremonial, and intergenerational contexts such as weddings, inheritance matters, or elder care discussions.