이혼
ihon[ˈi(ː)βo̞n]
The English phrase "divorce" is translated into Korean as 이혼 (ihon). Wiktionary also lists 리혼 (rihon).
Meaning: legal dissolution of a marriage (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 이혼 | ihon | [ˈi(ː)βo̞n] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | |
| 리혼 | rihon | [ˈɾi(ː)βo̞n] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | North Korea |
이혼 is a noun used to refer to the legal dissolution of a marriage.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In North Korea, the form 리혼 is used.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To use the noun in a sentence, you can form the verb 이혼하다 by adding the auxiliary verb 하다 (to do) to the noun. It is also common to use the phrase 이혼을 하다, which uses the object marker 을 to express the act of undergoing or doing a divorce. Similarly, the North Korean form 리혼하다 serves as the verb form in that region.
How do you pronounce it?
ihon
Did you know?
- Korean distinguishes between 협의이혼, a divorce by mutual agreement, and 재판이혼, which is a divorce decided by a judge in court.
- The word 혼 in 이혼 is the same root used in 결혼 (marriage), creating a linguistic mirror where one word is the 'joining' and the other is the 'separation' of a marriage.
- The word 이혼 is composed of two Hanja characters: 이 (leave) and 혼 (marriage). Literally, it translates to 'leaving a marriage'.
Examples in context
- 이혼 절차를 시작했습니다.We have initiated the divorce process.
- 이혼하려면 변호사의 조언을 따르는 것이 중요합니다.If you are planning to divorce, it is important to follow your lawyer's advice.
- 그들은 이혼했어.They got divorced.
- 우리 부모님은 지난해에 헤어졌어요.My parents divorced last year.
- 그들은 결국 이혼했어요.geudeureun gyeolguk ihonhaesseoyo.They eventually got a divorce.
- 이혼 절차는 복잡해요.ihon jeolchaneun bokjaphaeyo.The divorce process is complicated.
- 이혼을 고민하고 있어요.ihoneul gominago isseoyo.I am considering a divorce.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a mutual acquaintance's news.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo서연 씨, 소식 들었어요?Seoyeon ssi, sosik deureosseoyo?Seoyeon, did you hear the news?
- 서연 Seo-yeon아니요, 무슨 일이에요?aniyo, museun irieyo?No, what happened?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo민수 씨가 이혼했대요.Minsu ssi-ga ihonhaess-daeyo.I heard Minsu got a divorce.
- 서연 Seo-yeon정말요? 너무 놀랐어요.jeongmalyo? neomu nollasseoyo.Really? I'm so surprised.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “divorce” translations and entries 이혼, 리혼, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 이혼, CC BY-SA 4.0.
