結婚式
kekkonshiki[ke̞k̚kõ̞ɰ̃ɕikʲi]
In Japanese, the word for wedding is 結婚式 (kekkonshiki). Wiktionary also lists 婚礼 (konrei).
Meaning: marriage ceremony (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 結婚式 | kekkonshiki | [ke̞k̚kõ̞ɰ̃ɕikʲi] (narrow) |
| 婚礼 | konrei | [kõ̞n̺ɾe̞ː] (narrow) |
The most common and natural way to refer to a wedding ceremony in everyday conversation is 結婚式. If you are talking about the concept of marriage or a wedding in a general sense, you can use 結婚. For an informal way to refer specifically to a wedding reception or celebration, you might use 結婚パーティー.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 結婚式 is composed of 結婚, meaning marriage and 式, meaning ceremony.
Which one should you use?
While 結婚式 is the standard term for a wedding, 婚礼 is a more formal, literary or traditional term often used in historical or highly formal contexts.
How do you pronounce it?
kekkonshiki
Did you know?
- Japanese wedding guests often provide a gift of cash in a special decorative envelope called ご祝儀袋, with the amount usually being an odd number to prevent the couple from 'splitting' or divorcing.
- In traditional Shinto weddings, the couple performs a ritual called 三三九度 where they take three sips of sake from three different cups, totaling nine sips.
- The term 結婚 (kekkon) literally breaks down into 'bind' and 'combine', suggesting the way two separate entities are tied together.
Examples in context
- 結婚式はいつ？When's the wedding?This sentence is useful for asking about the timing of a wedding using 結婚式.Tatoeba #10043162 by small_snow, translation #1120403 by CK
- 結婚式みたい。It looks like a wedding.This sentence is useful for describing something that resembles a wedding using 結婚式.Tatoeba #10614944 by small_snow, translation #4368119 by AlanF_US
- トムの結婚式行く？Will you go to Tom's wedding?This sentence is useful for asking about attendance at a wedding using 結婚式.Tatoeba #4751741 by tommy_san, translation #4764526 by Stalwartlover
- Watashi wa kekkon shimasu. (私は結婚します。)I will get married.
- Watashi-tachi wa kotoshi kekkon suru. (私たちは今年結婚する。)We're getting married this year.
- Kekkonpartii de atsumarimasu. (結婚パーティーで集まります。)We'll gather at the wedding party.
- 71 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Misaki and Kenta are talking about a friend's upcoming celebration.
- 美咲 Misaki来月、彼女の結婚式があるんだ。Raigetsu, kanojo no kekkonshiki ga aru nda.Her wedding ceremony is next month.
- 健太 Kentaそれはおめでたいね！Sore wa omedetai ne!That's wonderful news!
- 美咲 Misaki健太君も招待されているよ。Kenta-kun mo shotai sarete iru yo.You are invited too, Kenta.
- 健太 Kenta本当？ぜひ出席したいな。Honto? Zehi shusseki shitai na.Really? I'd love to attend.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “wedding” translations and entries 結婚式, 婚礼, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 結婚式, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
