One's spouse's mother; mother-in-law (by marriage). Often referred to politely as 'o-gibo-san' in speech.
義母は料理が得意で、よく家庭料理を教えてくれる。
My mother-in-law is good at cooking and often teaches me home cooking.
結婚してから義母と仲良くなった。
I've gotten close to my mother-in-law since getting married.
義母にプレゼントを贈る予定です。
I plan to give a present to my mother-in-law.
A woman who raised or cared for someone but is not the biological mother; a foster or adoptive mother.
幼い頃、義母に育てられたので彼女を母のように感じている。
Raised by my foster mother when I was young, I feel she is like my own mother.
学校の面談に義母が来てくれた。
My foster mother came to the school meeting.
義母の助けがなければここまで来られなかった。
I couldn't have come this far without my foster mother's help.
A mother in a blended family created by remarriage; a stepmother (a woman who becomes a parent to a child from a previous marriage).
父が再婚して新しい義母が家族に加わった。
My father remarried and a new stepmother joined the family.
子どもたちは新しい義母に慣れるのに時間がかかった。
The children took time to get used to the new stepmother.
義母と一緒に休日を過ごした。
I spent a holiday together with my stepmother.