离婚

• Pinyin: lí hūn
• Hanzi breakdown: 离 = simplified from 離, meaning to separate; 婚 = 女 (woman) + 昏 (dusk), referring to marriage ceremonies traditionally held at dusk

Meaning

To divorce; to get divorced. The formal and standard term for ending a marriage.

A verb-object compound (离 = leave, 婚 = marriage). Used in both casual and formal contexts. Can be used as a verb (他们离婚了) or as a noun-like concept (办理离婚). In China, divorce requires going to a civil affairs office. The word is neutral in tone — no inherent judgement.

Examples

1. 他们结婚才两年就离婚了。 They got divorced only two years after getting married.
2. 离婚以后，孩子跟着妈妈生活。 After the divorce, the child lives with the mother.
3. 现在离婚的人越来越多了。 Nowadays more and more people are getting divorced.

Usage Guide

Context: family, relationships, legal

Tone: serious

Do Say

• 他们已经离婚三年了。(They've been divorced for three years.)
• 离婚是一个很难的决定。(Divorce is a very difficult decision.)

Don't Say

• 你应该离婚他。(离婚 is intransitive — don't put an object after it. Say 你应该跟他离婚 instead.)

Origin & History

离 means to leave or separate; 婚 means marriage (from 女 woman + 昏 dusk, as traditional weddings were held at dusk). Together: to leave a marriage.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal