离婚
líhūn
The Chinese word for divorce is 离婚 (líhūn).
离婚 is the most common and frequently used term for divorce in Chinese. It functions as both a noun, referring to the legal dissolution of a marriage and a verb, meaning to end one's own marriage or to legally dissolve a marriage.
Meaning: legal dissolution of a marriage (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 离婚 is used in daily speech, 离异 is a more formal term often found in official documents or legal contexts.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Because 离婚 can be both a noun and a verb, you may see the phrase 办离婚手续 used to specifically refer to the act of going through the legal procedures of filing for divorce. Additionally, adding the particle 了 after 离婚 (as in 离婚了) indicates that the divorce process has been completed.
How do you pronounce it?
líhūn
Did you know?
- Chinese has a specific term 离婚冷静期, which translates to 'divorce cooling-off period', referring to a mandatory 30-day waiting period introduced in 2021.
- In traditional Chinese culture, the concept of 'divorce' was historically asymmetrical, with specific terms for a husband divorcing a wife versus a wife leaving a husband.
- While 离婚 is the standard term, people may use the euphemism 分开了 meaning 'separated' to avoid the social stigma associated with the word 'divorce'.
Examples in context
- 她打算离婚。She intends to get a divorce.The first sentence shows how to use 离婚 to express an intention to get a divorce.Tatoeba #10002087 by GlossaMatik, translation #8585262 by sundown
- 她告诉他说，她想要离婚。She told him she wanted a divorce.The second sentence uses 离婚 to report a desire for a divorce.Tatoeba #7771877 by jiangche, translation #803123 by Source_VOA
- 我完全无法想象自己会离婚。I can't imagine ever getting a divorce.The third sentence uses 离婚 to express the inability to imagine the event of getting a divorce.Tatoeba #13947003 by jan_OkulaJu, translation #2539028 by CK
- Simon 和 Lily 决定离婚。Simon and Lily decided to get a divorce.
- 他们分离一年后终于离婚了。They have been separated for a year and finally got a divorce.
- 我父母去年离婚了。My parents divorced last year.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a mutual acquaintance's recent life changes.
- 伟 Wei听说他最近办了离婚？Tīngshuō tā zuìjìn bànle líhūn?I heard he recently went through a divorce?
- 梓涵 Zihan是的，这对他打击很大。Shì de, zhè duì tā dǎjī hěn dà.Yes, it was a huge blow to him.
- 伟 Wei我也觉得这太突然了。Wǒ yě juéde zhè tài tūrán le.I also feel this was too sudden.
- 梓涵 Zihan希望他能尽快走出来。Xīwàng tā néng jǐnkuài zǒu chūlái.I hope he can move on soon.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
