複婚
fukukon[ɸɯ̟̊kɯ̟kõ̞ɴ]
The English word 'polygamy' is expressed in Japanese as 複婚 (fukukon). If unsure, use 複婚. Wiktionary also lists ポリガミー (porigamī).
Meaning: the having of a plurality of socially bonded sexual partners at the same time (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 複婚 | fukukon | [ɸɯ̟̊kɯ̟kõ̞ɴ] (narrow) |
| ポリガミー | porigamī | [po̞ɾʲiɡa̠mʲiː] (narrow) |
Polygamy refers to the practice of having multiple socially bonded sexual partners at the same time.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 複婚 (fukukon) is composed of the characters for 'multiple/double' (複) and 'marriage' (婚).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ポリガミー (porigamī) is a loanword from English and is commonly used in modern, casual or academic contexts. For a formal term describing a system of one husband with multiple wives, you may use 一夫多妻制.
How do you pronounce it?
fukukon
Did you know?
- In historical contexts, the concept of polygamy was often expressed through the word 側室, which means 'side-room'. This refers to the official concubines who were assigned their own separate living quarters within a noble household.
- Although ポリガミー is a loanword, it is often preferred in psychological or anthropological papers to avoid the traditional cultural connotations attached to the kanji term 複婚.
- The character 複 (fuku) used in 複婚 is the exact same character found in the common Japanese word for 'complex', 複雑 (fukuzatsu).
Examples in context
- 先進国の中には、一夫多妻制を認めているところもあります。Some advanced countries allow for the practice of polygamy.
- 彼は複数婚に興味があるみたいだ。It seems like he's interested in having multiple marriages.
- 複婚は多くの文化で禁止されています。Fukkon wa ooku no bunka de kinshi sarete imasu.Polygamy is prohibited in many cultures.
- 複婚を認める法律は珍しいです。Fukkon o mitomeru houritsu wa mezurashii desu.Laws that recognize polygamy are rare.
Example conversation
Two students are discussing a sociology lecture in a university hallway.
- 陽葵 Himari今日の講義は複婚についての話だったね。Kyou no kougi wa fukkon ni tsuite no hanashi datta ne.Today's lecture was about polygamy, wasn't it?
- 陽太 Yotaそうだね、すごく複雑なテーマだったよ。Sou da ne, sugoku fukuzatsu na teema datta yo.That's true, it was a very complex theme.
- 陽葵 Himari陽太君は、あの講義はどう思った？Youta-kun wa, ano kougi wa dou omotta?Youta, what did you think of that lecture?
- 陽太 Yota文化による違いが大きくて驚いたよ。Bunka ni yoru chigai ga ookikute odoroita yo.I was surprised by how much it varies by culture.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “polygamy” translations and entries 複婚, ポリガミー, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
