婚約しました
kon'yaku shimashita
In Japanese, "I got engaged" is said as 婚約しました (kon'yaku shimashita).
The phrase is used to announce that you have formally agreed to marry another person. The underlying verb is 婚約する, which means "to get engaged." In Japanese, the subject "I" (watashi) is often omitted from this phrase when the context makes it clear who is speaking.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 婚約 (kon'yaku) literally means "engagement" or "betrothal."
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
婚約しました is a polite version used for formal announcements. For casual situations with friends and family, you may use the informal version 婚約した.
How do you pronounce it?
kon'yaku shimashita
Did you know?
- In Japanese culture, instead of saying 'I got engaged', many people might simply say kekkon suru koto ni narimashita, which translates to 'It has been decided that we will marry'.
- In traditional Japanese customs, an engagement is often formalized through 結納 (yunō), a ritual where the groom's family exchanges symbolic gifts with the bride's family.
- The word 婚約 (kon'yaku) uses the character 約 (yaku), which is the same character used in the word for 'contract' or 'promise' (契約 – keiyaku).
Examples in context
- 社内の皆さまへ、ご報告いたします。私は先週婚約しました。I would like to inform everyone in the company. I got engaged last week.
- みんな、知ってる？ついに婚約したよ！Hey everyone, did you know? I finally got engaged!
- 昨日、婚約しました。Kinō, kon'yaku shimashita.I got engaged yesterday.
- ついに婚約しました！Tsuini kon'yaku shimashita!I finally got engaged!
Example conversation
Ren announces his engagement to his friend Himari at a cafe.
- 蓮 Ren実は、先月婚約しました。Jitsu wa, sengetsu kon'yaku shimashita.Actually, I got engaged last month.
- 陽葵 Himari本当ですか？おめでとうございます！Hontō desu ka? Omedetō gozaimasu!Really? Congratulations!
- 蓮 Renありがとうございます、陽葵さん。Arigatō gozaimasu, Himari-san.Thank you, Himari.
- 陽葵 Himari蓮さんの幸せを願っています。Ren-san no shiawase o negatte imasu.I wish you happiness, Ren.
