Key Facts
- Hangul: 결혼; Revised Romanization: gyeolhon
- Part of speech: noun
- Origin: Sino-Korean
- Register: Neutral; 결혼하다 is the verb.
- Hanja: 結婚 (結 tie + 婚 marry)
Marriage in Korean: How Do You Pronounce 결혼?
Two syllables, gyeol-hon. The standard pronunciation follows the spelling, [gyeol-hon]. In fast everyday speech the ㅎ often weakens, so you may hear something close to gyeo-ron.
Example Sentences with 결혼
저는 내년에 결혼해요.
jeoneun naenyeone gyeolhonhaeyo.
I am getting married next year.
A future plan. 내년에 is "next year" and the verb form means "get married".
결혼을 축하해요!
gyeolhoneul chukahaeyo!
Congratulations on your marriage!
A congratulation. Here 결혼 is the object of 축하해요, so it names the event being celebrated.
그는 결혼했어요.
geuneun gyeolhonhaesseoyo.
He is married.
The past form says the person is married now. In Korean the completed act describes the present state.
Common Phrases and Collocations
| Korean | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 결혼하다 | to marry |
| 결혼 기념일 | wedding anniversary |
| 결혼 생활 | married life |
결혼하다 is the verb itself, while 기념일 and 생활 attach to the noun.
The Mistake to Avoid
English "marry him" has a direct object, so learners use the object marker.
Wrong: 그를 결혼했어요.
Correct: 그와 결혼했어요. The person you marry takes 와/과 (with), not 를.
결혼 Compared with Similar Words
The two related words sit on either side of the marriage. 결혼식 is the ceremony that starts it, and 이혼 is the divorce that can end it, so neither is a synonym.
| Word | Meaning | How to tell them apart |
|---|---|---|
| 결혼 | marriage | This page's word |
| 결혼식 | wedding ceremony | The ceremony on the day, not the marriage itself |
| 이혼 | divorce | The legal end of a marriage |
Where Does the Word Come From?
결혼 is Sino-Korean, written 結婚: 結 (tie) and 婚 (marry). The picture behind the word is of tying two people together, which helps you remember that the first character means "tie".
A Coworker Shares Wedding News
Two coworkers meet during a break. One shares a plan, and the other congratulates them before asking about the ceremony.
Jisu
저 다음 달에 결혼해요.
Jeo daeum dare gyeolhonhaeyo.
I’m getting married next month.
Minho
결혼을 축하해요!
Gyeolhoneul chukahaeyo!
Congratulations on your marriage!
Jisu
고마워요.
Gomawoyo.
Thank you.
Minho
결혼식은 어디에서 해요?
Gyeolhonsigeun eodieseo haeyo?
Where are you having the wedding?
저 starts the announcement with “I,” and 다음 달에 gives the time. The final question switches from 결혼, getting married, to 결혼식, the ceremony. Minho asks about the venue after hearing the news; the question does not assume that getting married and holding a ceremony are the same thing.
Using 결혼 as a Noun and 결혼하다 as a Verb
결혼하다 means to get married. 결혼해요 can describe a plan when a future time such as 다음 달에 comes with it. 결혼했어요 reports a completed marriage and often answers the everyday question of whether someone is married. The surrounding time and conversation help you understand whether the focus is the wedding event or present marital status.
결혼을 하다 is also possible: the noun 결혼 takes the object marker 을 before 하다. This does not change the partner into an object. In 그와 결혼했어요, 와 marks the person the speaker married. The difference is between doing the act of marriage and naming the person you marry.
With a name ending in a consonant, use 과 for “with”; after a vowel, use 와. In everyday conversation, 하고 can also connect the partner to 결혼하다. These patterns express the relationship between the two people. They avoid copying the English direct-object structure in “marry someone.”
Wishes and Phrases for Married Life
결혼을 축하해요 is a direct congratulation. 결혼 축하해요 is a common shorter version with the object marker omitted. 결혼을 축하합니다 gives the same message with a more formal ending, suitable for a card or a formal spoken congratulation. The noun remains 결혼 in each version.
결혼 준비 means marriage or wedding preparations, depending on the context. It can cover practical arrangements leading up to getting married. 결혼 생활 means married life after that point, and 결혼 기념일 means wedding anniversary. The last two phrases concern life as a married couple, rather than preparations for a ceremony.
결혼 상대 means a marriage partner or prospective spouse. 상대 identifies the other person in the relationship or pairing. It does not tell you whether the couple has already married; the surrounding sentence supplies that stage. This is useful in drama dialogue about choosing or meeting a future spouse.
Where Will You Hear or See 결혼?
Friends and coworkers use 결혼 when sharing personal news. Entertainment headlines also use it for announcements that someone is getting married. A headline may omit sentence endings and still use the noun clearly. Look for a date or words about plans before assuming the marriage has already happened.
An invitation usually gives details of the 결혼식, the ceremony: the venue, date and time. A form asking about 결혼 여부 concerns whether someone is married. 여부 means whether or not something is the case. That form is asking about status, rather than whether the person attended a wedding.
결혼 is neutral, but questions about someone's plans can be personal. A direct question about when someone will marry can feel intrusive if they have not brought up the subject. When someone volunteers the news, a congratulation responds naturally without requiring them to explain their private plans.
Related Words for the Wedding Conversation
| Korean | Meaning | One useful distinction |
|---|---|---|
| 결혼식 | wedding ceremony | Names the scheduled ceremony rather than married life. |
| 배우자 | spouse | Refers to either spouse without specifying gender. |
| 청첩장 | wedding invitation | Gives guests the details of the event. |
| 신혼 | newlywed period | Describes the early stage of married life. |
The wedding vocabulary lesson teaches the wider event vocabulary. Use the 결혼식 page when the ceremony, rather than marriage status, is the topic.
Quick Self-Test
- Which particle fits “married him”: 그를 or 그와?
- Which word names the ceremony: 결혼 or 결혼식?
- What does 결혼 여부 ask about on a form?
Show answers
- 그와. The partner takes a marker meaning “with.”
- 결혼식 specifically names the wedding ceremony.
- Whether someone is married, rather than whether they attended a wedding.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say "marriage" in Korean?
Say 결혼 (gyeolhon).
How do I say "I am getting married next year"?
Say 저는 내년에 결혼해요.
Should I say 그를 결혼했어요?
No. Use 와/과, as in 그와 결혼했어요.
What is the difference between 결혼 and 결혼식?
결혼 is marriage; 결혼식 is the wedding ceremony.
Related Words and What to Learn Next
- Theme list: Wedding word list groups 결혼 with its neighbours.
- Index: Korean words A to Z.
- Compare with the wedding page.