再婚

§ What does it mean and when do people use it?

Let's talk about 再婚 (zàihūn). Simply put, it means 'to remarry'. It’s a pretty straightforward word, but understanding its context will help you use it correctly. Think of it as 'again' (再) + 'marry' (婚). So, if someone has been married before and then gets married again to a different person, they 再婚 (zàihūn).

You'll typically hear or read 再婚 (zàihūn) in discussions about someone's marital status or family situations. It's not a super formal term, but it's not slang either. It’s the standard way to express the concept of remarrying in Chinese. You’ll find it in everyday conversations, news articles, and even official documents.

DEFINITION

To remarry; to get married again after a previous marriage has ended (due to divorce or death of a spouse).

Here are some common scenarios where you’d use 再婚 (zàihūn):

• Talking about someone who got divorced and then found a new partner to marry.
• Referring to a widow or widower who decides to marry again.
• Discussing the marital history of an individual or a couple.
• In family discussions when explaining relationships, e.g., 'my stepfather's remarriage'.

It’s important to note that 再婚 (zàihūn) is specifically about remarrying. It doesn’t just mean getting married again to the same person after a divorce. If a couple divorces and then remarries each other, that’s a different situation, and while technically they are marrying again, 再婚 (zàihūn) is usually reserved for marrying a *different* person. Think of it as 're-entering' marriage with a new spouse.

Translation hint: She divorced after / decided not / again / to remarry.

Translation hint: My mother / after his father died / remarried / (particle).

Consider the emotional and social implications. In Chinese culture, like many others, remarriage can be viewed differently depending on individual circumstances and family values. While it’s becoming increasingly common and accepted, especially after divorce, it’s still a significant life event. The word 再婚 (zàihūn) itself is neutral; it simply states the fact. Any judgments or feelings associated with it come from the context of the conversation and the speakers' perspectives, not the word itself.

For example, you might hear a friend casually mention that their aunt has 再婚 (zàihūn), or you might read in a novel about a character's journey to find love and 再婚 (zàihūn) after a difficult past. The usage is quite flexible. The key takeaway is that 再婚 (zàihūn) is your go-to word for 'to remarry'.

Translation hint: He / divorced / three years later / only then / decided / to remarry.

In summary, 再婚 (zàihūn) is a clear and direct term. It’s practical, widely understood, and essential for talking about marital status beyond just a first marriage. When you use it, you are simply stating a fact about someone entering a new marriage after a previous one. No frills, just the meaning.

Alright, let's talk about 再婚 (zàihūn), which means "to remarry." It seems straightforward, right? But even with simple words, there are common traps English speakers fall into. We're going to go through these so you can use 再婚 correctly and naturally.

§ Mistake 1: Confusing 再婚 (zàihūn) with 再次结婚 (zàicì jiéhūn)

This is a big one. While both involve getting married again, they're not interchangeable. 再婚 specifically means to remarry after a divorce or the death of a spouse. It implies a previous marriage that ended. 再次结婚 is more general; it just means "to marry again," and could apply to someone who marries the same person again (which happens!) or even just someone who gets married for a second time, regardless of whether the first marriage ended officially.

Here's how you'd use them:

Tā líhūn hòu juédìng zàihūn.

She decided to remarry after her divorce.

Tāmen fēnshǒu hòu yòu zàicì jiéhūn le.

After breaking up, they married again (to each other).

§ Mistake 2: Using 再婚 as a noun for "remarriage"

再婚 is a verb: "to remarry." While in English we often use "remarriage" as a noun, in Chinese, you typically wouldn't use 再婚 directly as a standalone noun in the same way. You'd phrase it differently, usually by describing the act of remarrying or the second marriage itself.

Wrong

他的再婚很幸福。 (Tā de zàihūn hěn xìngfú.) - This sounds a bit off.

Right

他的第二次婚姻很幸福。(Tā de dì'èrcì hūnyīn hěn xìngfú.) - His second marriage is very happy.

Also Right

他再婚后很幸福。(Tā zàihūn hòu hěn xìngfú.) - He is very happy after remarrying.

§ Mistake 3: Over-using 再婚 in formal contexts

While 再婚 is appropriate, sometimes when discussing a person's life story or in more formal narratives, you might use phrases like 另组家庭 (lìng zǔ jiātíng), meaning "to form another family," which implies remarrying and starting a new life. This isn't a "mistake" per se, but it's about choosing the most natural expression for the context.

Tā líhūn hòu, hěn kuài jiù lìng zǔ jiātíng le.

After his divorce, he soon formed another family (implying remarriage).

§ Quick Review

• 再婚 is for remarrying after a previous marriage ended.
• 再次结婚 is general "marry again."
• 再婚 is a verb. Don't use it as a noun directly.

By keeping these points in mind, you'll be using 再婚 like a pro. Good job, keep practicing!