What does it mean word for word?
The core noun 婚約 (kon'yaku) means engagement. It is composed of the characters for marriage (婚) and agreement or promise (約).
Which one should you use?
While 婚約している describes the ongoing state of being engaged, the past tense form 婚約した is used to describe the specific event of becoming engaged. For a more concise or status-oriented way to say one is in the middle of an engagement, you can use the noun-based form 婚約中.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For formal situations, you can use 婚約しています to say 'I am engaged' or the even more formal 婚約中です to say 'in the midst of engagement'. The noun-based 婚約中 is also used in formal or concise contexts like official documents or social media profiles. In informal settings, you can use the contracted form 婚約してる.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form 婚約している describes the continuous state of being engaged. To describe the specific moment or event of getting engaged, use the past tense 婚約した.
How do you pronounce it?
kon'yaku-shite iru
Did you know?
- In Japan, the transition from being 'engaged' to being 'married' is often marked by the official ceremony of 結納 (yuinō), a traditional ritual involving the exchange of symbolic gifts rather than just a verbal agreement.
- The word プロポーズ sounds like 'propose', but it refers specifically to a marriage proposal. Using it to suggest a business idea would be a confusing mistake.
- The character 約 (yaku) used in 'engagement' is the same one used in 予約 (yoyaku), the word for making a restaurant reservation.
Examples in context
- トムはメアリーの妹と婚約している。Tom is engaged to Mary's younger sister.This sentence shows how to say someone is engaged to a specific person using 婚約している.Tatoeba #2941360 by tommy_san, translation #1028584 by CK
- 婚約しているのにキスを拒否された。Even though we're engaged, she wouldn't let me kiss her.This sentence illustrates using 婚約している to describe a situation where someone is currently in the state of being engaged.Tatoeba #76133 by mookeee, translation #327585 by CM
- 彼女はすでに婚約している。Kanojo wa sude ni kon'yaku shite iru.She is already engaged.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a mutual acquaintance's relationship status.
- 結衣 Yui佐藤さんは、誰かと婚約しているの？Sato-san wa, dareka to kon'yaku shite iru no?Is Mr. Sato engaged to someone?
- 陽太 Yotaはい、彼はすでに婚約しているそうです。Hai, kare wa sude ni kon'yaku shite iru sou desu.Yes, I heard he is already engaged.
- 結衣 Yuiそうなの？それはおめでたいね。Sou na no? Sore wa omedetai ne.Is that so? That's wonderful news.
- 陽太 Yota本当に、とても幸せそうだよ。Hontou ni, totemo shiawase sou da yo.Truly, he seems very happy.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “engaged” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
