Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
婚hūn(hun1)
The character 婚 (hūn) refers to the institution of marriage or the act of marrying. It is commonly used when discussing weddings, relationships, and family structures, emphasizing the formal union between partners. This term is prevalent in both spoken and written contexts, particularly in discussions about relationships and ceremonies.
Strokes11Radical女Frequency#2144DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, marriage is often viewed as a significant milestone in life, closely tied to familial expectations and social status. Traditional customs, such as the tea ceremony, play an important role in wedding celebrations.
Memory Tip
Imagine a bride (女, which means female) walking down the aisle towards her groom (the character 婚). The 女 is a key component of 婚, representing the 'woman' in marriage. The sound 'hūn' can also remind you of 'fun', which is what weddings are meant to be!
Meanings of 婚
hūn(hun1)
1to marry
2marriage
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 婚
婚Simplified
11Strokes
女Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#2144Frequency Rank
Podcast: 婚
Podcast: 婚
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 婚
Quick Contrast
离婚 (líhūn) vs 婚 (hūn): Use 离婚 when referring to divorce, as it denotes the dissolution of marriage, while 婚 focuses on the act of marrying or the state of being married.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a bride (女, which means female) walking down the aisle towards her groom (the character 婚). The 女 is a key component of 婚, representing the 'woman' in marriage. The sound 'hūn' can also remind you of 'fun', which is what weddings are meant to be!
Usage Notes
婚 is generally used in formal contexts such as wedding invitations or legal documents. A common mistake is to confuse it with other words related to love or relationships, like 爱 (ài, love). Additionally, be aware of the tones; using a wrong tone can change the meaning entirely.
HSK Study Tips
While 婚 is not an HSK level word, it is important for learners to connect it with related words like 爱 (love) and 结婚 (to get married). Focus on the context in which 婚 is used, especially in phrases related to weddings and relationships.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, marriage is often viewed as a significant milestone in life, closely tied to familial expectations and social status. Traditional customs, such as the tea ceremony, play an important role in wedding celebrations.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 婚 with words like 爱 (love) and 亲 (family), leading to incorrect phrases such as 爱婚 (love marriage) instead of 婚姻 (marriage). It's important to use 婚 specifically for marriage-related contexts.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 婚
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 婚 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 婚 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar Patterns of 婚
婚 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 5 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.
The couple have sought help from marriage guidance counsellors.
8
他们引证了亚历克斯拒绝回到婚后的家中一事。
tā mén yǐn zhèng le yà lì kè sī jù jué huí dào hūn hòu de jiā zhōng yī shì。
They cited Alex's refusal to return to the marital home.
9
他俩居然结婚了——这让他非常惊讶，因为他们实在是太不一样了。
tā liǎng jū rán jié hūn le—— —— zhè ràng tā fēi cháng jīng， yà ， yīn wéi tā mén shí zài shì tài bù yī。
He was surprised they had married — they had seemed so different.
10
婚姻生活并不像他想象的那么浪漫美好。
hūn yīn shēng huó bìng bù xiàng tā xiǎng xiàng de nà mó làng màn měi hǎo。
Married life was not as idyllic as he had imagined.
Cultural Notes for 婚
💡Did you know?
In traditional Chinese culture, marriage is considered a significant milestone, often celebrated with elaborate ceremonies that can last several days. The concept of '婚' encompasses both the spiritual and practical aspects of joining two families.
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, marriage is often viewed as a significant milestone in life, closely tied to familial expectations and social status. Traditional customs, such as the tea ceremony, play an important role in wedding celebrations.
📜Proverb
百年好合 (bǎi nián hǎo hé) means 'a harmonious union for a hundred years', often used to wish newlyweds a long and happy marriage.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
Marriage customs vary widely around the world. In China, traditional weddings often feature the color red, symbolizing good luck and happiness, contrasting with Western traditions that might favor white.
Word Family of 婚
Words Containing This Character20
结婚jiéhūnto marry結婚
婚礼hūnlǐwedding婚禮
婚姻hūnyīnmatrimony
离婚líhūnto divorce離婚
婚hūnto marry
婚纱hūnshāwedding dress婚紗
求婚qiúhūnto propose marriage
订婚dìnghūnto get engaged訂婚
未婚妻fiancée
已婚married
新婚newly wed
未婚夫fiancé
婚前premarital
未婚unmarried
征婚to look for a partner徵婚
婚事wedding
再婚to remarry
婚姻法marriage law
婚介matchmaking
婚约engagement婚約
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 结婚 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 婚
婚 (hūn) is a noun that means 'marriage' or 'wedding,' while 结婚 (jiéhūn) is a verb phrase that means 'to get married.' In other words, 婚 refers to the concept of marriage itself, whereas 结婚 describes the action of entering into marriage.
Common phrases that include 婚 (hūn) are '婚姻' (hūnyīn), which means 'marriage' or 'matrimony,' and '婚纱' (hūnshā), meaning 'wedding dress.' These phrases are often used in discussions about weddings and relationships.
婚 (hūn) refers to marriage, wedding, or the act of marrying. It signifies the formal union between two individuals, often recognized by society and law. The character is commonly used in contexts related to relationships and family.
You can use 婚 (hūn) in sentences like '我明年要结婚' (Wǒ míngnián yào jiéhūn), which means 'I will get married next year.' It can also be used in phrases like '婚礼' (hūnlǐ), meaning 'wedding ceremony.'
While it can be used casually, 婚 is generally more formal, so it's better suited for discussions about weddings or legal matters.
Yes, phrases like 婚礼 (wedding) and 婚姻 (marriage) are often used in everyday language.
