Congratulations on your interest in learning how to say “get married” in Spanish! Whether you’re planning a wedding ceremony in a Spanish-speaking country or simply expanding your language skills, it’s essential to know the proper expressions to communicate this significant life event. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore both formal and informal ways to convey the phrase “get married” in Spanish, along with useful tips and examples. Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
1. Formal Expressions
When it comes to formal situations, such as when addressing coworkers, acquaintances, or in professional settings, you’ll want to use the more polite and respectful expressions for “get married” in Spanish. Here are several options:
- Casarse: This is the most common and neutral way to say “get married” in Spanish. It can be used by both men and women. For example:
María y Juan se van a casar el próximo mes.
(María and Juan are getting married next month.)
Contraer matrimonio: This expression is slightly more formal and literally means “to contract marriage.” It is often used in legal or official contexts. For example:
Ellos contraerán matrimonio en la iglesia local.
(They will get married in the local church.)
Unirse en matrimonio: This phrase translates to “unite in matrimony” and has a formal connotation. It is commonly used in wedding invitations or formal announcements. For example:
Le invitamos a unirse en matrimonio a nuestra celebración.
(We invite you to join us in our wedding celebration.)
2. Informal Expressions
When speaking with friends, family, or in casual settings, you can opt for more informal expressions to say “get married” in Spanish. These expressions are commonly used in everyday conversations:
- Casarse: Just like in formal situations, “casarse” can also be used informally. It is the go-to expression for most Spanish speakers. For example:
¡Mi hermana se casa este sábado!
(My sister is getting married this Saturday!)
Hacerse novio/a: This phrase literally means “to become a boyfriend/girlfriend” but is widely understood as getting married, especially among younger generations. For example:
Marta y Pedro se van a hacer novios en la playa.
(Marta and Pedro are getting married on the beach.)
Darse el sí: Translated as “to say yes to each other,” this expression refers to exchanging wedding vows and is quite popular among couples. For example:
Por fin nos dimos el sí y oficializamos nuestra relación.
(We finally said yes to each other and made our relationship official.)
3. Regional Variations
While the previously mentioned expressions are widely understood across Spanish-speaking countries, it’s worth noting that regional variations exist. Here are a few examples:
- Casar: In some Hispanic regions, particularly in parts of Mexico and Central America, it is common to drop the reflexive pronoun and simply say “casar.” For example:
¿Cuándo se van a casar? (When are you two getting married?)
Matrimonio: In certain South American countries like Argentina and Uruguay, the noun “matrimonio” is used as a verb, meaning “to get married.” For example:
Ellos se van a matrimoniar el próximo mes. (They are getting married next month.)
Please keep in mind that these regional variations might not be familiar to everyone, so it’s generally recommended to stick with the more widely used expressions unless you’re specifically engaging with a particular region or dialect.
Final Thoughts
Congratulations! You now have a solid understanding of how to say “get married” in Spanish. Remember to adjust your language based on the formality of the situation and always use the appropriate expression to ensure effective communication. Practice these phrases and examples with native Spanish speakers or through language exchange programs to strengthen your conversational skills. ¡Buena suerte! (Good luck!)
