My dictionary says "bean" and in parentheses it says "chéile." When I was visiting An Daingean I lost my wife in a shop (I know--me and 1,000 other guys)so I took advantage of the opportunity to learn another phrase, namely "Cá bhfuil mo bhean?" The shop keeper said it didn't sound right to her. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Le meas,

James

James, a chara,
"bean" translates as "woman"
but "bean chéile" is "wife" and "fear céile" is "husband", from "céile" meaning "companion".
Ba chóir go ndeirfeadh tú "Cá bhfuil mo bhean chéile?" nuair atá sí caillte agat!
(It would be better for you to say "Cá bhfuil mo bhean chéile?" when you've lost her!)
Tá cuma Jerry Springer ar "Cá bhfuil mo bhean?"
It smacks of Jerry Springer to say "Where's my woman?"

One can also just use "mo chéile" to talk about one's spouse.
Mar shampla: "Tá mé anseo le mo chéile!" (I'm here with my spouse)
It will be understood that if you are a man, your "chéile" is a woman and vice versa. However, it has just occured to me that this may/may not be true for the times we live in, so maybe it is better to specify.

Tá súil agam gur chuidigh an méid seo leat!
I hope that this much (amount) helped you!

Slán go fóill,
Seosaimhín

Wouldn't it make more sense to ask "Have you seen my wife?"
Would that read "Feis tu mo bhean cheile?" No, I have the tense wrong, I think.

Slan agat.
Mick

Ooo, a spelling error on my part.

Would it read "Feic tu mo bhean cheile?"

Mick

An bhfaca tú mo bhean ceile?

A Ahongus (not sure about the vocative with your name),

Bhean ceile or Bhean Cheile?

Le meas,

James

fear céile - fear mór
bean chéile - bean mhór

Séimhítear "céile" ar nós aidiacht.

Mea culpa.
Is maith ann thú, Dennis