결혼
gyeolhon[kjʌ̹ɾβo̞n]
The English word 'marriage' can be translated into Korean as 결혼 (gyeolhon) or 혼인. If unsure, use 결혼.
Meaning: union of two people (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 결혼 | gyeolhon | [kjʌ̹ɾβo̞n] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 혼인 | honin | [ɸʷo̞nin] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
The term 결혼 is the most common and widely used word for marriage in Korean, serving as the standard, everyday term used in most contexts.
Which one should you use?
While 결혼 is the standard word for everyday use, 혼인 is a more formal or legalistic term for marriage. You will often find 혼인 used in official documents or legal contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the verb 'to marry' or 'to get married', you can add the verb 하다 (to do) to the noun 결혼 to form 결혼하다. Additionally, adding the suffix 식 (ceremony) to 결혼 creates the word 결혼식, which means 'wedding ceremony'.
How do you pronounce it?
gyeolhon
Did you know?
- At a 결혼식 (wedding ceremony), guests typically do not give physical gifts. Instead, they give cash in white envelopes as a standardized way to help the couple cover the wedding costs.
- The first character of 결혼, 결 (結), means 'connecting' or 'tying', which reflects the traditional view of marriage as tying a knot between two families rather than just two individuals.
- Korean has a specific term, 미혼, to describe someone who is 'not yet married', which carries a different social nuance than the English word 'single'.
Examples in context
- 남녀간의 결합을 결혼이라고 하지.Marriage is the union of a man and woman.This sentence illustrates the concept of marriage as the union of a man and woman using 결혼.Tatoeba #8357741 by Eunhee, translation #238720 by CM
- 목사가 결혼에 대해 대체 뭘 알겠어?What the hell does a priest know about marriage?This sentence shows how to use 결혼 when discussing a priest's knowledge of marriage.Tatoeba #7999551 by ciwlx, translation #1935067 by Spamster
- 너희들의 결혼을 축하해요.Let me congratulate you on your marriage.This sentence uses 결혼 to express congratulations on a marriage.Tatoeba #957288 by Sudajaengi, translation #238681 by CK
- 처음으로 한국에 와서 결혼을 했어요.Became married for the first time when I came to Korea.
- 그 친구는 결혼하고 싶다고 했어.That friend said they want to get married.
Example conversation
Minji and Minjun are talking about their future plans.
- 민지 Min-ji민준 씨는 결혼 생각 있어요?Minjun ssineun gyeolhon saenggak isseoyo?Minjun, are you thinking about marriage?
- 민준 Min-jun네, 하지만 아직은 좀 일러요.Ne, hajiman ajigeun jom illeoyo.Yes, but it's a bit early still.
- 민지 Min-ji언제쯤 결혼하고 싶으세요?Eonjejjeum gyeolhonhago sipeuseyo?Around when would you like to get married?
- 민준 Min-jun두고 봐야 알 것 같아요.Dugo bwaya al geot gatayo.I think I'll know as time goes by.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “marriage” translations and entries 결혼, 혼인, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 결혼, 혼인, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
