既婚

§ What "既婚" (kikon) means

Definition

Married (person).

The Japanese word 既婚 (kikon) literally means 'already married' or 'married.' It's a noun that describes the state of being married or refers to a person who is married. It's a straightforward term, and you'll often see it in formal contexts, surveys, or official documents where marital status is relevant. Think of it as the Japanese equivalent of simply stating 'married' about a person's status.

§ When to use "既婚" (kikon)

You'll typically encounter 既婚 in situations where you need to state or ask about someone's marital status directly and formally. This includes:

• Official Forms and Applications: When filling out forms for work, housing, or any official registration, you'll likely see a section asking about your marital status. 既婚 would be one of the options alongside 未婚 (mikon - unmarried) and 離婚 (rikon - divorced).
• Surveys and Questionnaires: Researchers or companies often use 既婚 to categorize respondents based on their marital status.
• News Reports or formal discussions: In more formal writing or speech, especially when discussing demographics or social trends, 既婚 is the appropriate term.
• Job applications: Some job applications might ask for your marital status for statistical purposes or to determine benefits eligibility.

It's less common to use 既婚 in casual conversation when talking about your own or a friend's marital status. In everyday speech, Japanese people usually use different phrases to express being married, such as 結婚している (kekkon shiteiru - 'is married'). However, understanding 既婚 is crucial for reading comprehension and formal communication.

§ Examples of "既婚" (kikon) in use

Hint: He is a married person.

Hint: In this survey, please answer whether you are married or unmarried.

Hint: The social advancement of married women is progressing.

§ Don't confuse it with just 'married'

Many English speakers learning Japanese might hear 既婚 (きこん - kikon) and immediately think it's the direct equivalent of 'married'. While it does mean 'married person' or 'marital status: married', it's crucial to understand its typical usage. You wouldn't generally say 「私は既婚です」 (Watashi wa kikon desu) to introduce yourself as married in a casual conversation, even though it's grammatically correct. It sounds a bit stiff and formal, almost like stating a fact from a legal document.

§ Using 既婚 for the act of marriage

Another common mistake is trying to use 既婚 to describe the act of getting married. 既婚 specifically refers to the *state* of being married, not the *process*. If you want to talk about getting married, you'd use different verbs like 結婚する (kekkon suru).

You would *not* say 「彼は去年既婚しました」 (Kare wa kyonen kikon shimashita). This is incorrect because 既婚 is a noun describing a state, not a verb for an action.

§ Where you *will* see 既婚

So, if you shouldn't use it in casual conversation about being married, where *is* 既婚 commonly used? You'll most often encounter it in formal contexts, especially in forms, surveys, or official documents where you need to state your marital status. It's a precise term for categorization.

DEFINITION

既婚 (きこん): Married (person); marital status: married.

Here's an example of where you would typically see it:

In this context, it's clear, concise, and standard. It's not meant for expressing personal feelings or for everyday speech.

§ Better alternatives for everyday use

When you want to say you are married in a more natural way, especially in conversation, use forms of 結婚している (kekkon shite iru).

• 結婚しています (kekkon shite imasu): This is the most common and polite way to say "I am married."
• 既婚者 (kikonsha): While 既婚 is a noun for 'married person', adding -者 (-sha, person) makes it even clearer. However, it still carries a slightly formal or objective tone compared to 結婚しています. You might see it in profiles or descriptions.

Understanding the nuance of 既婚 will help you sound more natural and avoid awkward phrasing in Japanese. It's not a bad word; it just has a specific role and context.