離婚
rikon[ɾʲikõ̞ɴ]
The English phrase 'divorce' is translated into Japanese as 離婚 (rikon).
離婚 is the most commonly used word for divorce in Japanese, particularly in legal contexts and official documents. In Japan, the actual legal act of divorce is often referred to by the document filed, the 離婚届 (divorce registration/papers).
Meaning: legal dissolution of a marriage (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 離婚する is the standard way to say 'to divorce' as a mutual or personal action, the causative form 離婚させる is used when one party causes the divorce or forces the legal dissolution.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun 離婚 becomes a verb by adding the verb する to form 離婚する.
How do you pronounce it?
rikon
Did you know?
- Historically, a 離婚 could be initiated by a husband giving his wife a 三行書, a traditional three-line letter of divorce.
- In Japan, a divorce is often finalized simply by submitting a 離婚届 (divorce notification) to the local government, without a judge's involvement. This 'notification-based' system means couples can legally end a marriage through mutual agreement without a courtroom process.
- The Japanese term for 'separation' inside the word 離婚, specifically the character 離, is also used in the word 離陸 (takeoff), where a plane 'separates' from the ground. It conveys the idea of a physical or social detachment.
Examples in context
- 離婚するの？Are you getting a divorce?This sentence is useful for asking if someone is getting a 離婚.Tatoeba #8697565 by bunbuku, translation #2890932 by CK
- 離婚したいの？Do you want to divorce?This sentence is useful for asking if someone wants to 離婚.Tatoeba #13653454 by small_snow, translation #13662904 by terrywallwork
- 離婚したいんだ。I want to get a divorce.This sentence is useful for stating that you want to get a 離婚.Tatoeba #8954473 by bunbuku, translation #2932152 by AlanF_US
- 離婚に合意するTo agree to divorce
- 39 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A friend is asking about a former acquaintance's situation.
- 健太 Kenta彼は離婚したんですか？Kare wa rikon shita n desu ka?Did he get a divorce?
- 美咲 Misakiはい、離婚しました。Hai, rikon shimashita.Yes, he got a divorce.
- 健太 Kenta理由は分かりますか？Riyuu wa wakarimasu ka?Do you know the reason?
- 美咲 Misakiいえ、詳しいことは知りません。Ie, kuwashii koto wa shirimasen.No, I don't know the details.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “divorce” translations and entries 離婚, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
