離婚

• Reading: りこん
• Romaji: rikon
• Kanji breakdown: 離 (ri) — separate, detach; 婚 (kon) — marriage
• Pronunciation: /ɾi.koɴ/

Meaning

Divorce. The legal dissolution of a marriage.

A noun that also functions as a suru verb (離婚する). An intransitive suru verb — the couple divorces (二人は離婚した). Japan has one of the simpler divorce processes in the world: mutual consent divorce (協議離婚) requires only signed paperwork. Related terms include 離婚届 (divorce papers) and 離婚率 (divorce rate).

Examples

1. 両親は私が小さいときに離婚した。 My parents got divorced when I was little.
2. 日本の離婚率は年々変化している。 Japan's divorce rate has been changing year by year.
3. 離婚の手続きには時間がかかることもある。 Divorce proceedings can sometimes take a long time.

Usage Guide

Context: family, legal, society

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 離 (ri, separate/detach) and 婚 (kon, marriage). Literally 'separating from marriage' — the formal dissolution of a marital bond.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Universal