結婚をする

The most important rule is the 'who.' In English, we marry 'someone.' In Japanese, you do marriage 'with' someone. You must use the particle と (with). So, it’s Aさんと結婚をする. If you use に (to), you’ll sound like you’re trying to merge with them like a sci-fi alien. Don't do that. It’s creepy. Also, remember that 結婚をする is the dictionary form. In real life, you’ll mostly use 結婚をします (polite) or 結婚をした (past tense). If you’re announcing your engagement on Instagram, you might write 結婚をすることになりました (It has been decided that we will get married). This sounds very humble and proper.

Imagine you are watching a romantic drama. The lead character drops to one knee. They don't just say 'Hey, let's marry.' They say 結婚をしてください (Please do marriage [with me]). It sounds serious and heartfelt. Or picture a family dinner. You finally tell your parents, 彼と結婚をします (I’m going to marry him). The を here adds a touch of 'this is a formal decision.' On social media, you’ll see people post a photo of two rings with the caption 結婚をしました (We have married). It’s clean, classic, and unmistakably clear. Even in a business setting, if you need to explain why you are moving cities, you might say 来月、結婚をします (I am getting married next month). It provides a clear, professional reason for a big life change.

Use this phrase when the 'act' of marriage is the focus. It’s great for formal announcements. Use it when talking to your boss, your partner's parents, or writing an official document. It’s perfect for when you want to sound mature and certain. If you are filling out a form or answering a survey about your life status, 結婚をする is your go-to. It’s also common in literature and news reports because it sounds more 'complete' than the shorter version. It’s the Sunday Best version of the verb. If your words were an outfit, this would be a well-tailored suit.

Avoid 結婚をする when you are just chatting casually with your best friends over ramen. In that case, just use 結婚する. The を can make you sound a bit stiff, like you’re reading from a script. Also, don't use it if you are talking about the wedding ceremony specifically. For that, use 結婚式を挙げる (to hold a wedding ceremony). 結婚をする is about the union, not the party. If you tell someone 結婚をした when you actually just had a party but didn't sign the papers, a Japanese person might be confused. They take the 'legal' part of this phrase quite seriously!

Another common slip-up is forgetting the を when you want to be formal. While 結婚する isn't 'wrong,' using 結婚をする shows you have a higher level of linguistic polish. It's like knowing which fork to use at a fancy dinner. It won't break the conversation if you miss it, but you'll look better if you remember it.

入籍する (nyuuseki suru): This literally means 'to enter the family registry.' It’s the ultra-modern, very common way to say you're legally married. It’s less romantic and more administrative.

夫婦になる (fuufu ni naru): 'To become a married couple.' This focuses on the change in your relationship status.

ゴールインする (gooru-in suru): A bit of 'Wasei-Eigo' (Japanese-made English). It means you’ve finally reached the 'goal' of marriage. It’s very common in tabloid magazines and casual talk. It makes marriage sound like a marathon finish line, which... honestly, sometimes it is!

結婚をしたい (I want to get married): The 'desire' form. Use this when you’re browsing bridal magazines or sighing at cute couple TikToks.

結婚をしたくない (I don't want to get married): The negative desire. Perfect for when your grandma asks for the tenth time when you're settling down.

結婚を考えている (I’m thinking about marriage): Use this with your partner when things are getting serious. It’s the 'we need to talk' phrase that isn't scary. It shows you are being thoughtful about the future.

Is 結婚をする more formal than 結婚する? Yes, slightly. The particle adds a layer of 'noun-object' focus that feels more grammatical and deliberate. Can I use it for a same-sex marriage? Yes, the phrase is about the union itself, regardless of the partners. Do I need a ring to say this? Only if you want a 'yes' during the proposal! Otherwise, the words work just fine on their own. Is it okay to use in a text message? Definitely. It makes your announcement feel special and clear.