結婚式

• Reading: けっこんしき
• Romaji: kekkonshiki
• Kanji breakdown: 結 (ketsu) — tie, bind; 婚 (kon) — marriage; 式 (shiki) — ceremony, style
• Pronunciation: /ke.kkoɴ.ɕi.ki/

Meaning

Marriage ceremony; wedding; nuptials. A formal event celebrating a couple's union.

A noun for the formal ceremony in which a couple is married. Composed of 結婚 (kekkon, marriage) + 式 (shiki, ceremony). Japanese weddings can be 神前式 (shinzenshiki, Shinto-style), 教会式 (kyoukaishiki, church-style), 人前式 (jinzenshiki, secular), or 仏前式 (butsuzenshiki, Buddhist-style). The broader celebration including the reception is called 披露宴 (hirouen). One of the most common N2-level compound nouns related to social customs.

Examples

1. 来月、親友の結婚式に出席する予定だ。 I'm planning to attend my best friend's wedding next month.
2. 結婚式の準備に半年もかかった。 It took six months to prepare for the wedding.
3. 海外で結婚式を挙げるカップルが増えている。 More and more couples are holding their weddings abroad.

Usage Guide

Context: weddings, social events, daily life

Tone: celebratory

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese: 結婚 (kekkon, marriage) + 式 (shiki, ceremony/ritual). Literally 'marriage ceremony' — the formal event solemnising a union.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal