How do you use "Shacking up" in a sentence?

They've been shacking up for two years but still haven't talked about marriage. My grandma was horrified when I told her we were shacking up before the wedding. We started shacking up during COVID and just never moved apart.

Shacking up

Q: What does "Shacking up" mean?

Living together as a couple without being married. Shacking up means moving in together romantically without a marriage commitment. It used to be scandalous — older generations might say it disapprovingly. Today it's completely normalized in American culture, though the phrase itself retains a slightly cheeky, informal feel.

American Slang Term American ★★★★☆ Common informal

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Meaning: Living together as a couple without being married.

未婚同居。

Vivir juntos como pareja sin estar casados.

結婚せずにカップルとして同棲すること。

결혼하지 않고 커플로서 함께 사는 것.

Shacking up means moving in together romantically without a marriage commitment. It used to be scandalous — older generations might say it disapprovingly. Today it's completely normalized in American culture, though the phrase itself retains a slightly cheeky, informal feel.

Shacking up指的是情侣在没有婚姻承诺的情况下搬到一起住。在过去这被视为丑闻——老一辈的人可能会不以为然地这么说。如今在美国文化中这已完全正常化，不过这个说法本身仍保留着略带调皮的随意感。

'Shacking up' significa irse a vivir juntos en pareja sin un compromiso matrimonial. Antes se consideraba escandaloso — las generaciones mayores pueden decirlo con desaprobación. Hoy está completamente normalizado en la cultura estadounidense, aunque la expresión en sí conserva un tono algo pícaro e informal.

「Shacking up」は結婚の約束なしに恋人と一緒に住み始めること。昔はスキャンダラスで、年配の世代は不快感を示すこともある。現在のアメリカ文化では完全に普通のことだが、このフレーズ自体にはちょっとした茶目っ気やカジュアルな雰囲気が残っている。

Shacking up은 결혼 약속 없이 연인과 함께 사는 것을 뜻한다. 예전에는 충격적인 일이었고 나이 든 세대는 못마땅하게 말할 수도 있다. 오늘날 미국 문화에서는 완전히 일반적이지만, 이 표현 자체는 약간 건방지고 격식 없는 느낌을 유지하고 있다.

Examples

They've been shacking up for two years but still haven't talked about marriage.
他俩同居两年了，但还是没谈过结婚的事。
Llevan dos años viviendo juntos y todavía no han hablado de matrimonio.
あの二人、2年間同棲してるのにまだ結婚の話をしてないんだよ。
그 둘은 2년째 동거하고 있는데 아직 결혼 얘기도 안 했어.
My grandma was horrified when I told her we were shacking up before the wedding.
我跟奶奶说我们婚前就要同居，她都惊呆了。
Mi abuela se horrorizó cuando le dije que nos habíamos ido a vivir juntos antes de la boda.
結婚前に同棲するって言ったら、おばあちゃんが仰天してた。
결혼 전에 동거한다고 했더니 할머니가 기겁하셨어.
We started shacking up during COVID and just never moved apart.
我们在疫情期间开始同居，后来就一直没分开。
Empezamos a vivir juntos durante la COVID y simplemente nunca nos separamos.
コロナの時に同棲し始めて、そのまま離れなかったんだ。
코로나 때 동거를 시작했는데 그냥 그대로 계속 같이 살게 됐어.

Pronunciation

Usage Guide

Context: cohabitation, relationship milestones, family discussions

Tone: casual, slightly cheeky

✓ Do Say

We're shacking up to save on rent.
我们同居是为了省房租。
Nos hemos ido a vivir juntos para ahorrar en el alquiler.
家賃を節約するために同棲してるんだ。
집세 아끼려고 같이 살고 있어.
They shacked up right after college.
他们大学一毕业就同居了。
Se fueron a vivir juntos justo después de la universidad.
大学卒業してすぐ同棲し始めたんだよ。
그 둘은 대학 졸업하자마자 동거를 시작했어.

✗ Don't Say

Older or religious family members may find this term too casual or disrespectful for cohabitation
年长的或有宗教信仰的家人可能觉得这个词对同居来说太随意或不够尊重
Familiares mayores o religiosos pueden considerar este término demasiado informal o irrespetuoso para la convivencia
年配の人や信仰心の強い家族は、同棲に対してこの表現をカジュアルすぎる・失礼だと感じることがある
나이 든 분이나 종교적인 가족은 이 표현이 동거에 대해 너무 가볍거나 무례하다고 느낄 수 있다

Origin & History

American slang from the mid-20th century. 'Shack' refers to a humble dwelling, and 'shacking up' originally implied a somewhat illicit living arrangement. The stigma has largely faded as cohabitation before marriage became the norm.

Cultural Context

Era: Mid-20th century onward

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal