Learn a Chinese Character - 婚 (Hūn - Marriage; wedding; matrimony; to marry; the state of being married; the ceremony of getting married; related to married life; union between two people in a committed relationship)

1. Character Basics

Radical: 女 (nǚ) - Woman radical

Stroke Count: 11 strokes

Stroke Order:

2. Pronunciation

Pinyin: Hūn (First tone)

3. Meaning

Basic Meaning: Marriage; wedding; matrimony; to marry

Extended Meanings:

• The state of being married
• The ceremony of getting married
• Related to married life
• Union between two people in a committed relationship

Additional Notes: This character combines "女" (nǚ, woman) and "昏" (hūn, dusk), reflecting the ancient Chinese custom of wedding ceremonies taking place at dusk.

4. Common Words

• 结婚 (jiéhūn) - To get married; marriage

  他们计划明年结婚。(They plan to get married next year.)

• 婚礼 (hūnlǐ) - Wedding ceremony

  婚礼将在教堂举行。(The wedding ceremony will be held in a church.)

• 婚姻 (hūnyīn) - Marriage; matrimony

  他们的婚姻很幸福。(Their marriage is very happy.)

• 新郎 (xīnláng) - Bridegroom

  新郎穿着西装看起来很帅。(The bridegroom looks very handsome in his suit.)

• 新娘 (xīnniáng) - Bride

  新娘穿着白色婚纱非常美丽。(The bride looks very beautiful in her white wedding dress.)

5. Grammar & Usage

Part of Speech: Mainly used as a noun or verb

Common Usage:

• As a noun: Refers to marriage or wedding
• As a verb: Means to get married

Common Structures:

• 结+婚 - To get married (verb phrase)
• 婚+名词 - Forming nouns related to marriage (e.g., 婚礼, 婚姻)
• 形容词+婚 - Describing types of marriage (e.g., 晚婚, 早婚)

Usage Notes: "婚" is often used in formal contexts related to marriage and family. It is an important concept in Chinese culture, where marriage is traditionally viewed as a significant life event.

6. Cultural Background

Traditional Marriage Customs: In traditional Chinese culture, marriage is considered a major life event involving not just two individuals but their entire families. The character "婚" itself reflects the ancient practice of wedding ceremonies taking place at dusk.

Confucian Influence: Confucian teachings emphasize the importance of marriage and family in society. Traditional Chinese weddings often include rituals that honor ancestors and seek their blessings.

Modern Changes: While many traditional elements are still preserved, modern Chinese weddings have also incorporated Western customs such as wedding dresses, rings, and honeymoons, reflecting the blending of cultures in contemporary China.

7. Example Sentence

8. Memory Tips

1. Component Analysis: "婚" consists of "女" (nǚ, woman) and "昏" (hūn, dusk). Remember the ancient custom of wedding ceremonies taking place at dusk.
2. Pronunciation Association: The pinyin "Hūn" sounds similar to "hoon" in English. Think of "a wedding under the moon" (hun/moon).
3. Image Association: Visualize a traditional Chinese wedding ceremony taking place at dusk with lanterns and traditional attire.
4. Vocabulary Linking: Associate "婚" with words like "结婚" (to get married) and "婚礼" (wedding ceremony) to reinforce its meaning related to marriage.
5. Sentence Memory: Learn the sentence "他们在黄昏举行了婚礼" (They held their wedding ceremony at dusk) to remember both the character and its cultural significance.