新婦

• Reading: しんぷ
• Romaji: shinpu
• Kanji breakdown: 新 (shin) — new; 婦 (pu/fu) — woman, wife
• Pronunciation: /ɕiɴ.pɯ/

Meaning

Bride; the woman getting married. A formal term used primarily in wedding ceremonies.

A formal noun used mainly in wedding contexts, often paired with 新郎 (shinrou, bridegroom) as 新郎新婦 (the bride and groom). While 花嫁 (hanayome) is the more common everyday word for bride, 新婦 carries a formal, ceremonial tone and is standard in wedding speeches and announcements.

Examples

1. 新郎新婦の入場です。 Please welcome the entrance of the bride and groom.
2. 新婦が純白のドレスを着て現れた。 The bride appeared wearing a pure white dress.
3. 新婦のお父様からの手紙に会場が感動した。 The letter from the bride's father moved everyone in the hall.

Usage Guide

Context: weddings, ceremonies, formal announcements

Tone: celebratory

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese 新婦. 新 (shin) means new, and 婦 (pu/fu) means woman or wife. Literally a new wife, referring to the woman entering marriage.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal