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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.
Frequency#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
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About 婚姻
婚姻Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#1310Frequency Rank
桩Measure Word
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L6AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 婚姻
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.
Memory Mnemonic
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.
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.
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.
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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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
Complete the Sentence
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 (10)
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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 gōng zuò de shí hòu， ， nǐ shì fǒu hū shì le zì jǐ de hūn？
While slogging at work, have you neglected your marriage?
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。
hūn yīn bù zhōng huì tí shēng lǐng dǎo rén kě xìn dù de àn shì huāng miù 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 dǎo zhì le tā mén de hūn yīn pò liè， ， yīn cǐ xiǎng zuò chū bǔ。
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 xǐ huān hūn yīn shēng huó dài gěi tā de wù zhì xiǎng shòu。
She enjoys the material comforts married life has brought her.
Cultural Notes for 婚姻
🏮Cultural insight
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.
🌏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.
婚姻 is primarily used in formal contexts, such as legal discussions or serious conversations about relationships, rather than casual settings.
Yes, 婚姻 can refer to any legal marriage, including same-sex marriages, although cultural acceptance may vary.
