How to Say "Marriage" in Japanese

結婚

kekkon[ke̞k̚kõ̞ɴ]

Marriage is the union of two people, expressed in Japanese as 結婚 (kekkon). Wiktionary also lists 婚姻 (kon'in).

Meaning: union of two people (noun)

Ways to say it

“marriage” in Japanese
Japanese	Romanization (Wiktionary)	IPA
結婚	kekkon	[ke̞k̚kõ̞ɴ] (narrow)
婚姻	kon'in	[kõ̞ɰ̃ĩɴ] (narrow)

The noun 結婚 refers to the concept or state of marriage. To express the act of getting married, you use the verb form 結婚する.

結婚 is the standard word used in daily conversation, whereas 婚姻 is a formal or legal term used specifically to refer to legal marriage.

kekkon

While 結婚 is the standard term, Japanese has a specific word 婚活 (konkatsu) which describes the proactive 'marriage hunting' activity of searching for a spouse through apps or agencies.
When celebrating a marriage, Japanese people avoid using words that suggest 'cutting' or 'splitting' in their congratulations, as these are seen as omens for the end of the union.
In some older or more literary contexts, marriage is described as a 'red thread of fate' that connects two people.

結婚は運次第。
Marriage is a lottery.
This sentence shows how to use the noun 結婚 to describe the nature of marriage.
Tatoeba #175750 by bunbuku, translation #238715 by CM
結婚おめでとう。
Let me congratulate you on your marriage.
This sentence uses 結婚 to offer congratulations.
Tatoeba #175784 by bunbuku, translation #238681 by CK
結婚は重大な問題だ。
Marriage is a serious matter.
This sentence uses the noun 結婚 to describe marriage as a serious matter.
Tatoeba #175749 by bunbuku, translation #238716 by CK
38 more sentences on Tatoeba

Misaki and Yota are talking about their future plans.

美咲 Misaki

結婚について考えたことはある？
Kekkon ni tsuite kangaeta koto wa aru?
Have you ever thought about marriage?
陽太 Yota

うん、いつかはしたいと思っているよ。
Un, itsuka wa shitai to omotte iru yo.
Yes, I think I want to do it someday.
美咲 Misaki

私も、幸せな結婚がしたいな。
Watashi mo, shiawase na kekkon ga shitai na.
I also want to have a happy marriage.
陽太 Yota

美咲なら、きっと素敵な家庭を築けるよ。
Misaki nara, kitto suteki na katei o kizukeru yo.
If it's you, Misaki, I'm sure you can build a wonderful home.

Sources

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