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B1 adjective #3,000 most common 6 min read

既婚の

Top 3,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 既婚の in 30 Seconds

Explanation 既婚の in your Level:

At the A1 level, you generally won't need the word 既婚の (kikon-no) because it is quite formal. Instead, you will learn the basic verb 結婚します (kekkon shimasu - to marry) or the state 結婚しています (kekkon shite imasu - is married). At this stage, focus on the kanji 婚 (marriage). You might see 既婚 on a very basic personal information form in a Japanese class. Remember that 'no' is the bridge that connects the noun 'marriage status' to a person. If you see it, just think 'married person.' Don't worry about using it in speech yet; stick to 'kekkon shite imasu' for now. The goal at A1 is to recognize that Japanese has different words for 'being married' depending on if you are talking to a friend or filling out a form.

At A2, you are beginning to handle basic social situations and simple forms. You might encounter 既婚の when reading short profiles or news snippets for learners. You should understand that 既婚の is an adjective-like phrase. For example, '既婚の男性' (a married man). You should also learn its opposite, 未婚 (mikon - unmarried). At this level, you can start to notice the difference between the 'te-iru' verb form and this 'no-adjective.' While A2 learners usually talk about their family using 'kekkon shite imasu,' being able to identify 既婚 on a Japanese application form for a library card or a gym membership is a key practical skill.

At the B1 level, you are expected to understand more formal texts and discuss social issues. This is where 既婚の becomes very useful. You will see it in articles about the 'declining birthrate' (shoushika) or 'late marriage' (bankonka). You should be able to use 既婚の (or the noun 既婚者 - kikonsha) to describe groups of people in a presentation or a written essay. You should also be comfortable with the 'no' particle usage and ensure you don't confuse it with 'na-adjectives.' At B1, you start to appreciate the 'clinical' nuance—using 既婚の sounds objective and professional, which is exactly what you want when writing a report or discussing demographics.

B2 learners should have a firm grasp of register. You should know that 既婚の is appropriate for business reports, sociological discussions, and formal introductions of third parties in a professional context. You might encounter phrases like '既婚・未婚を問わず' (regardless of being married or unmarried). At this level, you should also be aware of related legal terms like 配偶者控除 (spouse deduction for taxes). Your ability to switch between the conversational 'kekkon shite iru' and the formal 'kikon' marks your transition into upper-intermediate proficiency. You should also be able to read the kanji without furigana in most contexts.

At C1, you are analyzing the nuances of Japanese society and legal structures. 既婚の appears in legal documents, academic journals, and high-level literature. You should understand how marital status (既婚/未婚) impacts social benefits, legal rights, and even corporate culture in Japan. You might study the '既婚女性の就業率' (employment rate of married women) and discuss the historical shifts in these statistics. At this level, you should also be familiar with more obscure related terms like 既婚公認 (publicly recognized marriage) or nuances in literature where '既婚' is used to emphasize a character's social constraints or traditional values.

At the C2 level, you have native-like command of the word. You understand the historical evolution of the term and its place within the broader 'koseki' (family registry) system of Japan. You can use 既婚の in complex legal arguments, high-level policy debates, or nuanced literary analysis. You recognize the subtle implications when a writer chooses 既婚の over a more descriptive phrase—perhaps to highlight a character's status as a mere statistic or to underscore the formality of a situation. You can also navigate the most complex government forms and legal contracts where marital status is a defining factor in inheritance or property law without any hesitation.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

既婚の in 30 Seconds

既婚の (kikon-no) is the formal Japanese adjective for 'married,' primarily used in written documents, surveys, and professional settings rather than casual conversation.
It is a 'no-adjective,' meaning it requires the particle 'no' to modify a noun, such as in 既婚の男性 (married man).
The term contrasts with 未婚 (mikon - unmarried) and 独身 (dokushin - single) and is essential for formal administrative tasks in Japan.
While 'kekkon shite iru' is common for speaking, 既婚の is the standard for reporting data or describing legal status.

The Japanese word 既婚の (きこんの, kikon-no) is a formal adjectival phrase used to describe someone who is currently married. It is composed of the kanji 既 (ki), meaning 'already' or 'previously,' and 婚 (kon), which refers to 'marriage.' Together with the possessive particle の (no), it functions as a pre-nominal adjective, meaning it directly precedes the noun it modifies. While the verb form 結婚している (kekkon shite iru) is far more common in daily conversation, 既婚の is the standard term used in formal documentation, demographic surveys, sociological contexts, and professional writing to denote marital status.

Formal Status: In Japanese society, clearly defining one's marital status is often a requirement for administrative tasks, such as applying for health insurance, filing taxes, or completing census forms. 既婚 (kikon) serves as the categorical label for 'married,' while 既婚の (kikon-no) describes the person within that category.

アンケートの回答者には、多くの既婚の女性が含まれていました。(The survey respondents included many married women.)

Understanding the nuance of this word requires recognizing its clinical or objective tone. You wouldn't typically use 既婚の to describe your own husband or wife in a casual setting; instead, you would use terms like 夫 (otto) or 妻 (tsuma). Using 既婚の suggests a level of detachment, focusing on the legal or social state of being married rather than the personal relationship itself. This makes it particularly useful in academic papers, news reports, and HR records.

Societal Context: In Japanese business culture, knowing if a client or colleague is 既婚 (kikon) might influence how certain social invitations are extended, though modern privacy standards are changing this dynamic.

彼は既婚の男性ですが、独身のように見えます。(He is a married man, but he looks like he is single.)

Using 既婚の is straightforward because it follows the standard pattern for 'no-adjectives' (nouns that function as adjectives). You simply place 既婚の before the noun you wish to describe. However, the most critical aspect of its usage is knowing when *not* to use it. If you are asking a friend if they are married, you would say 「結婚していますか？」 (Kekkon shite imasu ka?) rather than using 既婚. The latter sounds like an interrogation by a government official.

Syntactic Structure: [既婚の] + [Noun]. Common nouns following this include 男性 (man), 女性 (woman), 方 (person - polite), and 職員 (staff). It can also be used as a predicate: 「彼は既婚です」(He is married).

この住宅手当は、既婚の従業員のみが対象です。(This housing allowance is only for married employees.)

In formal writing, 既婚の is often contrasted with 未婚の (mikon-no, unmarried/never married) or 独身の (dokushin-no, single). In legal texts, you might also see 離別 (ribetsu, divorced) or 死別 (shibetsu, widowed), but 既婚 remains the primary term for the 'active' married state. When writing a CV or resume in Japan, you will often see a section for 配偶者 (haigousha, spouse) where you might indicate your status as 既婚.

統計学的に、既婚の人々は健康意識が高い傾向にあります。(Statistically, married people tend to have higher health awareness.)

You will encounter 既婚の primarily in non-conversational environments. If you are watching a Japanese news segment about declining birth rates or the cost of living, the announcer will frequently use 既婚者 (kikonsha - married person) or 既婚のカップル (kikon-no kappuru - married couples). It is a staple of the 'News Japanese' vocabulary.

Workplace & Bureaucracy: At the City Hall (Kuyakusho), forms will ask you to circle either 既婚 (Married) or 未婚 (Unmarried). HR departments use this term to calculate tax withholdings and family benefits. You might also hear it in a HR orientation: 「既婚の方には家族手当が支給されます」 (Family allowance will be paid to those who are married).

このアンケートは、既婚の男性300人を対象に行われました。(This survey was conducted targeting 300 married men.)

In literature or serious drama, a narrator might use 既婚の to establish a character's background quickly. For example, '既婚の身でありながら...' (Despite being married...) is a classic dramatic setup for a story about forbidden romance or complicated social obligations. It emphasizes the social weight of the marriage contract.

政府の報告書によると、既婚の世帯の平均収入は上昇しています。(According to the government report, the average income of married households is rising.)

The most frequent mistake English speakers make is using 既婚の in casual conversation where 結婚している (kekkon shite iru) is more appropriate. Saying 「既婚ですか？」 (Kikon desu ka?) to someone you just met at a bar sounds clinical and slightly robotic. It's like asking 'Are you a married individual?' instead of 'Are you married?'.

Grammatical Errors: Mistake 1: Treating it as a 'na-adjective' (e.g., 既婚な人 - WRONG). Mistake 2: Forgetting the 'no' when modifying a noun (e.g., 既婚女性 - acceptable as a compound, but 既婚の女性 is safer for learners). Mistake 3: Using it for animals. Generally, 既婚 is reserved for human legal status.

× 私は既婚な人です。 (Incorrect grammar)
○ 私は既婚です。 (I am married - Formal)

Another mistake is confusing 既婚 (kikon) with 貴校 (kikou - your school) or 寄稿 (kikou - contribution to a journal) due to the similar pronunciation 'kiko'. Context usually clears this up, but in written Japanese, the kanji for marriage (婚) is unique. Also, ensure you don't confuse 既婚 (already married) with 未婚 (not yet married). The first kanji makes all the difference.

While 既婚の is the formal standard, Japanese has several ways to express marital status depending on the register and specific meaning intended. Understanding these nuances will help you sound more natural and precise.

結婚している (Kekkon shite iru): The most common way to say 'is married' in speech. It is a verb phrase. Use this in 90% of spoken situations. Example: 「田中さんは結婚しています。」
所帯を持つ (Shotai o motsu): An idiomatic expression meaning 'to have a household' or 'to settle down.' It implies the responsibility of supporting a family. Example: 「彼もようやく所帯を持った。」
身を固める (Mi o katameru): Literal: 'to harden/solidify one's body.' Meaning: 'to settle down' or 'to get married and lead a stable life.' Often used by older people advising younger ones.

比較：
1. 既婚の男性 (Formal/Statistical)
2. 結婚している男性 (Natural/Standard)
3. 所帯持ちの男性 (Colloquial/Nuanced)

In documents, you might also see 配偶者あり (haigousha ari), which literally means 'spouse exists.' This is even more clinical than 既婚 and is strictly for checkboxes on forms. For 'single,' the common opposite is 独身 (dokushin), which is used much like 既婚 in both formal and semi-formal contexts.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The kanji 既 (already) originally depicted a person turning away from a food vessel, signifying they have finished eating and are full.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /kɪ.kɒn noʊ/

US /ki.kɔn noʊ/

Flat pitch (Heiban) in Japanese: ki-kon-no (the pitch remains steady or rises slightly after the first syllable).

Rhymes With

Ikkan no Nikkan no Chukan no Gakkan no Shinkan no Kikan no Sakan no Bokan no

Common Errors

Elongating the 'o' in 'kon' (making it 'kikoon').
Pronouncing 'ki' like 'kai'.
Treating 'no' as a separate word with a long pause.
Incorrect pitch accent (falling too early).
Confusing 'kon' with 'kun'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

The kanji are N3/N2 level, but the concept is simple.

Writing 4/5

既 (already) is a bit tricky to write correctly.

Speaking 2/5

Easy to say, but hard to know when it's too formal.

Listening 2/5

Clear pronunciation, rarely confused.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

結婚 (Marriage) 人 (Person) 男性 (Man) 女性 (Woman) の (Particle)

Learn Next

未婚 (Unmarried) 独身 (Single) 配偶者 (Spouse) 世帯 (Household) 扶養 (Dependents)

Advanced

戸籍 (Family Registry) 離婚 (Divorce) 再婚 (Remarriage) 事実婚 (Common-law marriage) 別居 (Separation)

Grammar to Know

Noun + の (Adjectival use)

既婚の男性 (Married man)

Noun + である (Formal 'to be')

彼は既婚である。

A か B か (Whether A or B)

既婚か未婚か選ぶ。

～を問わず (Regardless of...)

既婚・未婚を問わず募集。

～の身 (Status of...)

既婚の身で...

Examples by Level

彼は既婚です。

He is married.

既婚 (kikon) is used as a noun here.

既婚の人はここに来てください。

Married people, please come here.

既婚の (kikon-no) modifies 人 (hito).

田中さんは既婚の男性です。

Mr. Tanaka is a married man.

Standard adjective use.

既婚ですか、未婚ですか？

Are you married or unmarried?

Common question on forms.

私の兄は既婚です。

My older brother is married.

Formal way to state status.

既婚の友達がいます。

I have a married friend.

Modifying 'friend'.

この本は既婚の女性に人気です。

This book is popular with married women.

Target audience description.

既婚の生活はどうですか？

How is married life?

Using 既婚 to describe 'life'.

既婚の職員は家族手当をもらえます。

Married staff can receive a family allowance.

Formal workplace context.

アンケートで「既婚」に丸をつけました。

I circled 'Married' on the survey.

既婚 as a categorical noun.

彼女は既婚の身で、子供が二人います。

She is married and has two children.

既婚の身 (kikon-no mi) is a common set phrase.

既婚のカップルがパーティーに来ました。

A married couple came to the party.

Modifying 'couple'.

既婚の友人からアドバイスをもらいました。

I got advice from a married friend.

Describing the source of advice.

彼は自分が既婚であることを隠していました。

He was hiding the fact that he was married.

既婚である (kikon de aru) - to be married.

既婚の方はこちらの書類を書いてください。

Those who are married, please fill out this form.

既婚の方 (kikon-no kata) - polite way to say married person.

既婚の女性が再就職するのは大変です。

It is hard for married women to find a new job.

Societal context.

既婚の男性を対象とした調査が行われました。

A survey targeting married men was conducted.

Clinical survey language.

既婚の世帯には、特別な減税措置があります。

There are special tax reduction measures for married households.

既婚の世帯 (kikon-no setai) - married household.

彼は既婚者ですが、独身のように自由です。

He is a married person, but he is as free as a single person.

既婚者 (kikonsha) - married person.

既婚の兄に、結婚のメリットを聞きました。

I asked my married brother about the benefits of marriage.

Discussing marriage status.

このマンションは既婚のカップルに最適です。

This apartment is perfect for married couples.

Real estate context.

既婚の女性の就業率が向上しています。

The employment rate of married women is improving.

Economic/Statistical context.

既婚であることを理由に断られました。

I was turned down because I am married.

既婚であることを理由に - using the status as a reason.

既婚の悩みについて話し合いました。

We discussed the troubles of being married.

Describing 'troubles'.

既婚・未婚を問わず、どなたでも参加できます。

Anyone can participate, regardless of whether they are married or unmarried.

既婚・未婚を問わず - formal 'regardless of' pattern.

既婚の身でありながら、不適切な関係を持った。

Despite being married, they had an inappropriate relationship.

既婚の身 (kikon-no mi) emphasizes status/duty.

既婚女性の社会進出が、大きな課題となっています。

The social advancement of married women has become a major issue.

Political/Social discourse.

既婚の従業員に対する住宅手当の見直しが行われた。

A review of housing allowances for married employees was conducted.

Corporate policy language.

彼は既婚であることを伏せて、交際を始めた。

He hid the fact that he was married and started dating.

既婚であることを伏せる - to hide the fact of being married.

既婚の世帯主には、追加の書類提出が必要です。

Married heads of households need to submit additional documents.

既婚の世帯主 (kikon-no setainushi).

この調査は、既婚の男女1000人を対象にしています。

This survey targets 1,000 married men and women.

Standard research phrasing.

既婚の友人と独身の友人の間には、価値観の差がある。

There is a difference in values between married and single friends.

Comparison of statuses.

既婚の特権とも言える、税制上の優遇措置について解説します。

I will explain the tax incentives that can be called the privileges of being married.

既婚の特権 (kikon-no tokken) - privileges of being married.

既婚の女性がキャリアを維持するための障壁は依然として高い。

The barriers for married women to maintain their careers remain high.

Sociological analysis.

既婚の身分が、法的な契約において重要な意味を持つ。

Marital status holds significant meaning in legal contracts.

既婚の身分 (kikon-no mibun) - legal status.

既婚者の孤独という、現代社会特有の問題が浮き彫りになった。

The issue of loneliness among married people, unique to modern society, has come to light.

既婚者の孤独 (kikonsha-no kodoku).

既婚・未婚による差別は、法律で禁じられています。

Discrimination based on marital status is prohibited by law.

Legal prohibition context.

既婚の男性が育児休暇を取得する割合は、徐々に増加している。

The percentage of married men taking childcare leave is gradually increasing.

Demographic trend.

既婚の生活において、家事の分担は避けて通れない課題だ。

In married life, the division of housework is an unavoidable issue.

既婚の生活 (kikon-no seikatsu).

既婚であることを公表せずに活動する芸能人も多い。

There are many entertainers who perform without making it public that they are married.

Entertainment industry context.

既婚の事実が、彼の政治的キャリアに暗い影を落とした。

The fact of his being married cast a dark shadow over his political career.

既婚の事実 (kikon-no jijitsu) - the fact of being married.

近代文学における「既婚の女性」の描かれ方は、家父長制の反映である。

The depiction of 'married women' in modern literature is a reflection of patriarchy.

Literary criticism.

既婚というステータスが、個人のアイデンティティを規定する側面がある。

The status of being married has an aspect that defines an individual's identity.

Philosophical/Sociological.

既婚の世帯における資産形成の動向を、マクロ経済の視点から分析する。

We will analyze asset formation trends in married households from a macroeconomic perspective.

Academic economic analysis.

既婚の身でありながら、彼は放浪の旅に出ることを選んだ。

Despite being married, he chose to go on a journey of wandering.

Narrative contrast.

既婚の有無が、保険料の算定根拠の一つとなっている。

Whether or not one is married is one of the grounds for calculating insurance premiums.

既婚の有無 (kikon-no umu) - presence or absence of marriage.

既婚の女性たちの連帯が、地域社会の基盤を支えてきた。

The solidarity of married women has supported the foundation of local communities.

Social history.

既婚という社会的契約が、個人の自由をどの程度制限するかは議論の余地がある。

The extent to which the social contract of marriage limits individual freedom is open to debate.

Legal/Ethical debate.

Common Collocations

既婚の男性

既婚の女性

既婚の身

既婚のカップル

既婚の友人

既婚の職員

既婚の世帯

既婚の兄/姉

既婚の社員

既婚の立場

Common Phrases

既婚者

— A married person. Very common in all formal levels.

彼は既婚者です。

既婚・未婚

— Married or unmarried. Used together on forms.

既婚・未婚をチェックしてください。

既婚女性

— Married woman. Often used in social discussions.

既婚女性の悩み。

既婚男性

— Married man. Often used in statistics.

既婚男性の家事分担。

既婚カップル

— Married couple. Used in travel or housing ads.

既婚カップル限定のツアー。

既婚の旨

— The fact/intent of being married. Used in reporting.

既婚の旨を会社に伝える。

既婚の有無

— Whether one is married or not.

既婚の有無を確認する。

既婚歴

— Marriage history (though 'konreki' is more common).

既婚歴がある。

既婚の身分

— Marital status (legal/social).

既婚の身分を証明する。

既婚者クラブ

— A club for married people (often with social connotations).

既婚者クラブに参加する。

Often Confused With

既婚の vs 貴校 (Kikou)

Means 'your school.' Sounds similar but used in different contexts.

既婚の vs 寄稿 (Kikou)

Means 'contribution to a journal.' Sounds similar.

既婚の vs 気功 (Kikou)

Means 'Qigong' (exercise). Sounds similar.

Idioms & Expressions

"既婚の身で"

— While being married (often implies constraints).

既婚の身で夜遊びは控えるべきだ。

Neutral

"所帯を持つ"

— To get married and start a household.

彼は若くして所帯を持った。

Colloquial

"身を固める"

— To settle down through marriage.

そろそろ身を固めたらどうだ？

Polite

"二の足を踏む"

— To hesitate (often used regarding getting married).

結婚に二の足を踏む。

Neutral

"縁を結ぶ"

— To tie the knot / get married.

二人はついに縁を結んだ。

Formal

"籍を入れる"

— To officially register a marriage.

先月、籍を入れました。

Neutral

"身を引く"

— To withdraw (often from a relationship with a married person).

相手が既婚だと知り、身を引いた。

Neutral

"添い遂げる"

— To stay married until death.

二人で一生添い遂げよう。

Literary

"伴侶を得る"

— To find a life partner.

良き伴侶を得て幸せそうだ。

Formal

"家庭を築く"

— To build a family (get married).

幸せな家庭を築きたい。

Neutral

Easily Confused

既婚の vs 未婚

Opposite meaning, similar sound.

Mikon means 'not yet married,' Kikon means 'already married.'

未婚の母 vs 既婚の母

既婚の vs 独身

Both refer to marital status.

Dokushin is 'single' (can be casual), Kikon is 'married' (strictly formal).

独身貴族

既婚の vs 結婚

Root word.

Kekkon is the act/concept of marriage; Kikon is the status of having done it.

結婚式

既婚の vs 新婚

Subcategory of kikon.

Shinkon is specifically 'newlywed.'

新婚旅行

既婚の vs 再婚

Refers to marrying again.

Saikon is the act of remarrying; Kikon is the current state.

彼は再婚した。

Sentence Patterns

私は既婚です。

I am married (Formal).

既婚の[Noun]は...

Married [Noun] is...

既婚者向けの...

For married people...

既婚・未婚を問わず...

Regardless of being married or not...

既婚であることを[Verb]...

[Verb] the fact that one is married...

既婚の身でありながら...

Despite being married...

既婚の有無を確認する...

Check whether one is married or not...

既婚という社会的ステータス...

The social status of being married...

Word Family

Nouns

既婚 (kikon - marriage)

既婚者 (kikonsha - married person)

結婚 (kekkon - marriage)

婚約 (konyaku - engagement)

Verbs

結婚する (kekkon suru - to marry)

婚約する (konyaku suru - to get engaged)

Adjectives

既婚の (kikon-no - married)

未婚の (mikon-no - unmarried)

新婚の (shinkon-no - newlywed)

配偶者 (haigousha - spouse)

独身 (dokushin - single)

世帯 (setai - household)

夫婦 (fuufu - married couple)

入籍 (nyuuseki - entering the registry)

How to Use It

frequency

Common in written Japanese, less common in spoken Japanese.

Common Mistakes

既婚な人 (Kikon-na hito) → 既婚の人 / 既婚の男性
Kikon is a noun, so it takes 'no,' not 'na.'
既婚しています (Kikon shite imasu) → 結婚しています
Kikon is not a verb. Use Kekkon for the verb form.
私は既婚の夫です (I am a married husband) → 私は既婚です / 私は夫です
This is redundant. You don't need to say 'married husband.'
既婚者ですか？ (at a casual bar) → 結婚してるの？
Too formal for the setting. Sounds like a census worker.
既婚の猫 (Kikon-no neko) → つがい (Tsugai)
Animals aren't 'kikon' (legally married).

Tips

The 'No' Rule

Always remember that 既婚 needs 'no' when it comes before a person. 既婚の男性 (Kikon-no dansei).

Context Matters

Don't use 'kikon' at a party. It sounds like you're a detective. Stick to 'kekkon shiteru'.

Checkboxes

On Japanese forms, you will often see 既婚 and 未婚. Just circle the one that applies.

Kanji Breakdown

既 (Already) + 婚 (Marriage). If you know 'Kekkon,' you already know half the word!

Business Etiquette

In HR emails, '既婚者' is the standard way to refer to married employees.

News Vocabulary

This is a 'Level 1' news word. You'll see it in almost every article about Japanese society.

Key-Kon

Think of a 'Key' (既) to a 'Con' (婚)tract. You've signed the marriage contract.

vs. Dokushin

既婚 (Kikon) is the technical opposite of 独身 (Dokushin).

Clinical Tone

Use it when you want to sound objective or when presenting data.

Self-Introduction

If asked for status in a formal interview, say: '既婚です' (Kikon desu).

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think: 'Key' (既) to the 'Con' (婚) tract. You already have the key to the marriage contract.

Visual Association

Imagine a person holding a large gold key (既) standing in front of a wedding chapel (婚).

Word Web

Marriage Already Status Spouse Form Legal Adult Household

Challenge

Try to find the word 既婚 on a Japanese government website (like a city hall page) and see what options are next to it.

Word Origin

Composed of Sino-Japanese roots (Kango). 'Ki' (既) comes from Old Chinese, meaning 'already finished.' 'Kon' (婚) refers to the union of families.

Original meaning: A person who has already completed the rite of marriage.

Japonic (Sino-Japanese vocabulary).

Cultural Context

Asking someone's marital status (既婚か未婚か) can be seen as a privacy violation in modern Japanese workplaces unless necessary for HR.

English speakers use 'married' for both formal and casual settings, whereas Japanese splits it into '既婚の' (formal) and '結婚している' (casual).

Used in the title of various Japanese sociological studies on 'Kikon Josei' (Married Women). Appears in legal dramas like 'Hero' or '99.9 Criminal Lawyer'. Commonly found in news headlines about the Japanese Census (Kokusei Chousa).

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Government Forms

既婚にチェックする
既婚・未婚の欄
配偶者の有無
戸籍謄本

Job Applications

既婚であることを伝える
家族手当の申請
緊急連絡先
扶養家族

Market Research

既婚者を対象にする
既婚女性の購買傾向
ターゲット層
アンケート調査

Social News

既婚率の低下
晩婚化の影響
既婚カップルの家計
少子化対策

Literature/Drama

既婚の身でありながら
不倫の恋
家庭の事情
世間体

Conversation Starters

"既婚の方に伺いたいのですが、結婚のメリットは何ですか？ (I'd like to ask married people, what are the benefits of marriage?)"

"このアンケート、既婚か未婚か書く必要がありますか？ (Do I need to write whether I'm married or unmarried on this survey?)"

"既婚の友人が多いので、よく結婚生活の話を聞きます。 (I have many married friends, so I often hear about married life.)"

"最近は、既婚の女性も仕事を続けるのが普通ですね。 (Lately, it's normal for married women to continue working, isn't it?)"

"既婚者向けの新しいサービスが始まったそうです。 (I heard a new service for married people has started.)"

Journal Prompts

既婚の生活と独身の生活、どちらが自分に合っていると思いますか？ (Which do you think suits you better, married life or single life?)

あなたの国では、既婚の女性に対する社会的な期待はありますか？ (In your country, are there social expectations for married women?)

既婚であることを理由に、何かを諦めた経験はありますか？ (Have you ever experienced giving something up because you were married?)

将来、既婚の身になったら、どんな家庭を築きたいですか？ (When you become a married person in the future, what kind of family do you want to build?)

既婚の友人と独身の友人で、付き合い方は変わりますか？ (Does the way you hang out change between married and single friends?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, 既婚 is a legal/social term for humans. For animals, you would simply say they have a mate or use different terminology.

Not necessarily more polite, but more formal and clinical. It's better for documents, while 'kekkon shite iru' is better for polite conversation.

既婚 is the status (noun/adjective), while 既婚者 is a person who has that status (noun).

It is written as 既 (already) and 婚 (marriage). Make sure the left side of 既 is written correctly; it's not the same as the 'sun' radical.

Legally, Japan does not yet recognize same-sex marriage at the national level, so '既婚' usually refers to opposite-sex legal marriage in official documents, though this is a point of social debate.

No, it is never 'kikon-i'. It is always 'kikon-no' or just 'kikon' as a noun.

Not a direct slang word, but 'kikonsha' is sometimes used as a tag in online communities.

Use 未婚 (mikon) on forms to mean 'never married.' Use 独身 (dokushin) to mean 'single' in any context.

Legally, yes, if they are still on the same family registry. Socially, they might describe themselves differently.

The Koseki records the date of marriage, which effectively establishes the '既婚' status.