結婚する

• Reading: けっこんする
• Romaji: kekkon suru
• Kanji breakdown: 結 (ketsu/musu) — to tie, to bind; 婚 (kon) — marriage, wedding
• Pronunciation: /ke.k.ko.ɴ.sɯ.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To marry; to get married. The standard verb for the act of marriage.

A Group 3 (irregular) する-verb. 結婚 is the noun meaning 'marriage,' and する makes it a verb. Takes the particle と for the person one marries (田中さんと結婚する). The ている form 結婚している means 'to be married' (a state).

Examples

1. 来年結婚する予定です。 I'm planning to get married next year.
2. 姉は去年結婚しました。 My older sister got married last year.
3. 二人は大学で出会って結婚した。 The two of them met in college and got married.

Usage Guide

Context: life events, relationships, conversation

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

The kanji 結 means 'to tie/bind' and 婚 means 'marriage.' Together they express the concept of binding two people in marriage. 婚 combines 女 (woman) with 昏 (dusk), as traditional weddings were held at twilight.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal