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婚姻 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
婚姻hūnyīnmatrimonyHSK 6, n, 20 strokes, rank #1310, Hard
婚姻hūnyīnweddingHSK 6, n, 20 strokes, rank #1310, Hard
婚姻hūnyīnmarriageHSK 6, n, 20 strokes, rank #1310, Hard
hūnyīn(hun1yin1)hun yin T1
  1. 1matrimony
  2. 2wedding
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March 24, 2026

婚姻hūnyīn(hun1yin1)

婚姻 (hūn yīn) refers to the formal union between two people, typically recognized legally and culturally as a partnership in life. It encompasses both the wedding ceremony and the ongoing relationship that follows. This term is commonly used in discussions about family, relationships, and social structures.

Strokes20Frequency#1310DifficultyHard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, 婚姻 is not only a personal commitment but also a significant social contract that often involves family approval and rituals. The concept of marriage is deeply intertwined with family honor and continuity.

Memory tip

Imagine a pair of wedding rings intertwined, representing the bond of marriage. The character 婚 (hūn) resembles a couple coming together, while 姻 (yīn) can be remembered as 'in' which signifies being 'in' a relationship. Together, they create a visual story of two individuals united in matrimony.

Meanings of 婚姻

hūnyīn(hun1yin1)
1matrimony
2wedding
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 婚姻

婚姻Simplified
20Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#1310Frequency Rank
桩Measure Word
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L6AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 婚姻

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Podcast: 婚姻

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AI study notes for 婚姻

Quick Contrast

婚礼 (wedding) refers specifically to the ceremony of marriage, while 婚姻 (marriage) encompasses the entire relationship and legal union.

Usage Notes

Be cautious with the tone when pronouncing 婚姻; both syllables are pronounced with a first tone, which can be mistaken for a different word if mispronounced. This term is more formal and is often used in serious contexts, such as legal discussions or family gatherings.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 5 word, 婚姻 connects to other family-related vocabulary like 家庭 (family) and 夫妻 (couple). Focus on using it in sentences that discuss relationships or societal expectations to deepen your understanding of its use in context.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 婚姻 with 结婚 (jié hūn), which means to get married. A common mistake is saying '我想要婚姻' (wǒ xiǎng yào hūn yīn) instead of '我想要结婚' (wǒ xiǎng yào jié hūn) when expressing the desire to get married.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 婚姻

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Component characters

婚hūnto marry
11 strokes女
View full entry
姻yīnmarriage connections
9 strokes女
View full entry

How to say matrimony in Chinese

“matrimony” in Chinese is婚姻hūnyīn

婚姻 (hūn yīn) refers to the formal union between two people, typically recognized legally and culturally as a partnership in life. It encompasses both the wedding ceremony and the ongoing relationship that follows. This term is commonly used in discussions about family, relationships, and social structures.

When to use 婚姻

Be cautious with the tone when pronouncing 婚姻; both syllables are pronounced with a first tone, which can be mistaken for a different word if mispronounced. This term is more formal and is often used in serious contexts, such as legal discussions or family gatherings.

婚姻 or something close to it

婚礼 (wedding) refers specifically to the ceremony of marriage, while 婚姻 (marriage) encompasses the entire relationship and legal union.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 婚姻 with 结婚 (jié hūn), which means to get married. A common mistake is saying '我想要婚姻' (wǒ xiǎng yào hūn yīn) instead of '我想要结婚' (wǒ xiǎng yào jié hūn) when expressing the desire to get married.

Write 婚姻

婚
姻

Practice writing 婚姻 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar patterns of 婚姻

婚姻 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 4

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埋头工作的时候，你是否忽视了自己的____？

While slogging at work, have you neglected your marriage?

Example sentences for 婚姻 (16)

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1
埋头工作的时候，你是否忽视了自己的婚姻？

mái tóu gōngzuò de shíhou， nǐ shìfǒu hūshì le zìjǐ de hūnyīn？

While slogging at work, have you neglected your marriage?
2
这对夫妇已经向婚姻指导顾问寻求帮助。

zhè duì fūfù yǐjīng xiàng hūnyīn zhǐdǎo gùwèn xúnqiú bāngzhù。

The couple have sought help from marriage guidance counsellors.
3
婚姻生活并不像他想象的那么浪漫美好。

hūnyīn shēnghuó bìng bù xiàng tā xiǎngxiàng de nàme làngmàn měihǎo。

Married life was not as idyllic as he had imagined.
4
他一定已经知道我父母的婚姻即将破裂。

tā yídìng yǐjīng zhīdào wǒ fùmǔ de hūnyīn jíjiāng pòliè。

He must have been aware that my parents' marriage was breaking up.
5
婚姻中有一些公认的容易引发问题的雷区。

hūnyīn zhōng yǒuyīxiē gōngrèn de róngyì yǐnfā wèntí de léi Ōu。

There are recognised black spots in marriages which can lead to trouble.
6
我的婚姻破裂了。这让我变得孤僻、不愿与人来往。

wǒ de hūnyīn pòliè le。 zhè ràng wǒ biàn de gū pì、 bù yuàn yǔ rén láiwǎng。

My marriage has broken up. It has made me reclusive and unsociable.
7
很多人对婚姻与两性关系持一种不负责任的态度。

hěn duō rén duì hūnyīn yǔ liǎng xìng guānxì chí yī zhǒng bù fùzé rèn de tàidù。

Many people have an irresponsible attitude towards marriage and relationships.
8
婚姻不忠会提升领导人可信度的暗示荒谬之极。

hūnyīn bù zhōng huì tíshēng lǐngdǎo rén kěxìn dù de ànshì huāngmiù zhī jí。

The implication that marital infidelity enhances a leader's credibility is preposterous.
9
他导致了他们的婚姻破裂，因此想作出补偿。

tā dǎozhì le tāmen de hūnyīn pòliè， yīncǐ xiǎng zuòchū bǔcháng。

He wanted to make amends for causing their marriage to fail.
10
她喜欢婚姻生活带给她的物质享受。

tā xǐhuan hūnyīn shēnghuó dài gěi tā de wùzhì xiǎngshòu。

She enjoys the material comforts married life has brought her.
11
在婚姻中，沟通和理解是维持关系的关键。

Zài hūnyīn zhōng, gōutōng hé lǐjiě shì wéichí guānxì de guānjiàn.

In matrimony, communication and understanding are key to maintaining the relationship.
12
他们的婚姻经历了许多挑战，但最终变得更加坚固。

Tāmen de hūnyīn jīnglìle xǔduō tiǎozhàn, dàn zuìzhōng biàn dé gèngjiā jiāngù.

Their matrimony went through many challenges, but ultimately became stronger.
13
在现代社会中，婚姻不仅是两个人的结合，也是两个家庭的融合。

Zài xiàndài shèhuì zhōng, hūnyīn bùjǐn shì liǎng gè rén de jiéhé, yěshì liǎng gè jiātíng de rónghé.

In modern society, matrimony is not just the union of two people, but also the merging of two families.
14
婚姻制度在不同文化中有着不同的意义和形式。

Hūnyīn zhìdù zài bùtóng wénhuà zhōng yǒuzhe bùtóng de yìyì hé xíngshì.

The institution of matrimony holds different meanings and forms in various cultures.
15
她对婚姻的期待是建立在彼此尊重和共同成长的基础上。

Tā duì hūnyīn de qīdài shì jiànlì zài bǐcǐ zūnzhòng hé gòngtóng chéngzhǎng de jīchǔ shàng.

Her expectations for matrimony are based on mutual respect and growing together.
16
许多人认为婚姻是人生中最重要的承诺之一，需要用心经营。

Xǔduō rén rènwéi hūnyīn shì rénshēng zhōng zuì zhòngyào de chéngnuò zhī yī, xūyào yòngxīn jīngyíng.

Many people consider matrimony to be one of the most important commitments in life, requiring careful management.

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Cultural Notes for 婚姻

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

While marriage is a common institution in both Chinese and Western cultures, the emphasis on family involvement and social expectations in Chinese marriages often surpasses the more individualistic approach typically seen in the West.

Frequently asked questions about 婚姻

婚 (hūn) generally refers to the act of getting married or the wedding itself, while 婚姻 (hūn yīn) refers to the ongoing state of being married.

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