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订婚 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
订婚dìnghūnto get engagedHSK 6, unknown, 15 strokes, rank #2997, Hard
dìnghūn(ding4hun1)ding hun T4
  1. 1to get engaged
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March 24, 2026

订婚(訂婚)dìnghūn(ding4hun1)

订婚 refers to the formal agreement between two people to marry each other. This term is commonly used in the context of romantic relationships, often following the act of proposing. It emphasizes a commitment that is more serious than dating but not yet a marriage.

Strokes15Frequency#2997DifficultyHard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, engagements often involve formal ceremonies and the exchange of gifts between families, reflecting the significance of family approval in marital unions.

Memory tip

Imagine a couple sitting at a fancy dining table, where '订' (dìng) looks like a table with a sign saying 'engagement' on it. The '婚' (hūn) can remind you of a 'honeymoon' phase that follows this engagement. Together, they form the idea of planning for a future together.

Meanings of 订婚

dìnghūn(ding4hun1)
1to get engaged
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About 订婚

订婚Simplified
訂婚Traditional
15Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2

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Podcast: 订婚

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AI Study Notes for 订婚

Quick Contrast

订婚 (dìnghūn) vs 嫁 (jià) — use 订婚 to indicate a formal engagement, whereas 嫁 refers specifically to the act of marrying someone.

Usage Notes

While 订婚 is typically used in a romantic context, be careful not to confuse it with 结婚 (jié hūn), which means 'to get married.' It's an informal term, so it's suitable for everyday conversations, but avoid using it in overly formal situations.

HSK Study Tips

Although 订婚 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, understanding it can enhance your grasp of relationships and social interactions at the HSK level 3-4. Focus on recognizing its components and using it in context with other relationship-related vocabulary.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 订婚 with 结婚, mistakenly using 订婚 when they mean to say they are married. For example, saying '我已经订婚了' (Wǒ yǐjīng dìnghūn le) when they mean 'I am already married' is incorrect; the correct term would be '我已经结婚了' (Wǒ yǐjīng jiéhūn le).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 订婚

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Component Characters

订dìngto agree
HSK 44 strokes讠
View full entry
婚hūnto marry
11 strokes女
View full entry

How to say to get engaged in Chinese

“to get engaged” in Chinese is订婚dìnghūn

订婚 refers to the formal agreement between two people to marry each other. This term is commonly used in the context of romantic relationships, often following the act of proposing. It emphasizes a commitment that is more serious than dating but not yet a marriage.

When to use 订婚

While 订婚 is typically used in a romantic context, be careful not to confuse it with 结婚 (jié hūn), which means 'to get married.' It's an informal term, so it's suitable for everyday conversations, but avoid using it in overly formal situations.

订婚 or something close to it

订婚 (dìnghūn) vs 嫁 (jià) — use 订婚 to indicate a formal engagement, whereas 嫁 refers specifically to the act of marrying someone.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 订婚 with 结婚, mistakenly using 订婚 when they mean to say they are married. For example, saying '我已经订婚了' (Wǒ yǐjīng dìnghūn le) when they mean 'I am already married' is incorrect; the correct term would be '我已经结婚了' (Wǒ yǐjīng jiéhūn le).

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订
婚

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Frequently Asked Questions about 订婚

No, 订婚 means to get engaged, indicating a commitment to marry in the future, while 结婚 means to actually get married.

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