Learning marriage in different languages helps you understand how cultures express commitment, unity, and lifelong partnership.
The concept of marriage carries emotional weight everywhere, and exploring the translation of marriage reveals how different societies describe love and family life.
This guide gives you real linguistic insight, authentic pronunciation ideas, and cultural context not just plain translations.
Why Learning ‘Marriage’ in Different Languages Matters
Understanding the marriage meaning across cultures deepens communication, especially when discussing traditions, relationships, or multicultural families.
Many communities use different words for legal marriage, ceremonial marriage, or spiritual union.
Knowing the translation of marriage also helps travelers, writers, and language learners connect respectfully with native speakers.
Marriage in European Languages
- Spanish – “matrimonio” (mah-tree-MOH-nyoh)
Formal term used in legal contexts; “casamiento” is more casual. - French – “mariage” (mah-ree-AHZH)
Used in both romantic and administrative settings; polite tone. - German – “Ehe” (AY-eh)
Refers to the institution; “Hochzeit” means the wedding day. - Italian – “matrimonio” (mah-tree-MEE-nyoh)
Common in everyday talk; warm and family-centered word. - Portuguese – “casamento” (kah-zah-MEN-too)
Used for both the union and the ceremony. - Dutch – “huwelijk” (HOO-vuh-luhk)
More formal; used in official paperwork. - Greek – “gámos” (γάμος) (GAH-mos)
Everyday term; widely used in cultural traditions.
Marriage in Different Languages List
- English — Marriage
- Spanish — Matrimonio
- French — Mariage
- German — Ehe
- Italian — Matrimonio
- Portuguese — Casamento
- Dutch — Huwelijk
- Swedish — Äktenskap
- Norwegian — Ekteskap
- Danish — Ægteskab
- Finnish — Avioliitto
- Turkish — Evlilik
- Arabic — Zawaj (زواج)
- Hebrew — Nisuin (נישואין)
- Russian — Brak (Брак)
- Ukrainian — Shlyub (Шлюб)
- Greek — Gamos (Γάμος)
- Polish — Małżeństwo
- Czech — Manželství
- Hungarian — Házasság
Marriage in Different Languages in the World
- Hindi — Vivah (विवाह)
- Urdu — Shadi (شادی)
- Punjabi — Vyah (ਵਿਆਹ)
- Bengali — Bibaho (বিবাহ)
- Gujarati — Lagna (લગ્ન)
- Marathi — Lagna (लग्न)
- Tamil — Thirumanam (திருமணம்)
- Telugu — Pelli (పెళ్లి)
- Kannada — Maduve (ಮದುವೆ)
- Malayalam — Vivaham (വിവാഹം)
- Thai — Kan Taeng Ngan (การแต่งงาน)
- Vietnamese — Hôn nhân
- Indonesian — Pernikahan
- Malay — Perkahwinan
- Chinese (Mandarin) — Hunyin (婚姻)
- Japanese — Kekkon (結婚)
- Korean — Gyeolhon (결혼)
- Filipino — Kasal
- Swahili — Ndoa
- Zulu — Umshado
Love in Different Languages
- English — Love
- Spanish — Amor
- French — Amour
- Italian — Amore
- Portuguese — Amor
- German — Liebe
- Dutch — Liefde
- Swedish — Kärlek
- Danish — Kærlighed
- Norwegian — Kjærlighet
- Russian — Lyubov (Любовь)
- Ukrainian — Lyubov (Любов)
- Polish — Miłość
- Greek — Agapi (Αγάπη)
- Arabic — Hubb (حب)
- Hebrew — Ahava (אהבה)
- Turkish — Aşk
- Hindi — Pyar (प्यार)
- Urdu — Mohabbat (محبت)
- Japanese — Ai (愛)
- Chinese — Ai (爱)
- Korean — Sarang (사랑)
Marriage in Native American Languages
- Navajo – “áádóó dahwiilʼą́” (ah-doh dah-WEEL-an)
Used in ceremonial and family contexts. - Cherokee – “digaduhvga” (dee-gah-DOO-hv-gah)
Focuses on the joining of families. - Lakota – “wičhóič’iŋ” (wee-CHOH-ee-cheen)
Meaning tied to partnership and balance. - Hopi – “moni’yat” (moh-NEE-yaht)
Refers to the forming of a household. - Ojibwe – “wiidookodaadiwin” (wee-doh-koh-DAH-dee-win)
Emphasizes mutual support. - Blackfoot – “ááhkssin” (AHK-seen)
Used in both family and community gathering contexts. - Mohawk – “teionkwaterahkwahkwahnhne” (tay-ON-kwa-teh-rahk-wahn-hneh)
Focuses on family continuity.
Marriage in Asian Languages
- Hindi – “vivāh” (विवाह) (vee-VAH-h)
Formal word used in ceremonies and documents. - Chinese (Mandarin) – “hūn yīn” (婚姻) (hoon-een)
General term for the institution. - Japanese – “kekkon” (結婚) (keh-KON)
Everyday term for marriage. - Korean – “gyeolhon” (결혼) (gyol-hon)
Used in legal, cultural, and family settings. - Malay – “perkahwinan” (per-kah-WEE-nan)
Common word for marriage in conversation and ceremonies. - Thai – “kaan–taan” (การแต่งงาน) (kaan-tang-ngaan)
Used broadly in social and cultural discussions. - Filipino (Tagalog) – “kasal” (kah-SAL)
Used for both the union and the ceremony.
Marriage in Middle Eastern Languages
- Arabic – “zawāj” (زواج) (zah-WAAJ)
Neutral and widely used across dialects. - Hebrew – “nisu’in” (נישואין) (nee-soo-EEN)
Formal and used in ceremonies. - Turkish – “evlilik” (ev-LEE-lik)
Refers to the marital state. - Persian – “ezdevāj” (ازدواج) (ez-deh-VAJ)
Used in both modern and traditional contexts. - Kurdish – “zivistan” (zee-VEES-tahn)
Used in family and cultural discussions. - Pashto – “wādawala” (wah-DAH-wah-lah)
Refers to forming a household. - Aramaic – “nissuta” (nee-SOO-tah)
Used in traditional communities.
Marriage in African Languages
- Swahili – “ndoa” (en-DOH-ah)
Used in formal and informal conversations. - Yoruba – “igbeyawo” (eeg-beh-YAH-woh)
Emphasizes unity of families. - Zulu – “umshado” (oom-SHAH-doh)
Refers to both ceremony and partnership. - Amharic – “t’irik’” (ጥርቅ) (tir-IK)
Used in legal and cultural contexts. - Hausa – “auratayya” (ow-rah-TAH-yah)
Everyday term in Northern regions. - Somali – “guur” (goor)
Refers to marital partnership. - Berber – “tamettut” (tah-MET-toot)
Connected with family traditions.
Marriage in Indigenous Languages
- Māori – “mārena” (MAH-reh-nah)
Used in ceremonies. - Hawaiian – “ho‘āo” (ho-AH-oh)
Traditional ceremonial term. - Inuktitut – “nikkaniq” (nik-KAH-nik)
Refers to forming a household. - Samoan – “faaipoipoga” (fah-EH-poi-poh-gah)
Ceremonial term. - Fijian – “vakamau” (vah-kah-MAU)
Used in social traditions. - Aymara – “casaru” (kah-SAH-roo)
Casual usage. - Quechua – “kasarakuy” (kah-sah-RAH-kooy)
Describes partnership.
Marriage in Iroquoian Language Family
- Seneca – “otgę́nyęh” (ot-GEH-nyeh)
- Cayuga – “otgęníhę́” (ot-geh-NEE-hen)
- Onondaga – “otgeníyęh” (ot-geh-NEE-yeh)
- Oneida – “latiyonhákheˀ” (lah-tee-yohn-HAH-keh)
- Tuscarora – “rehniyéhrha” (reh-nee-YER-hah)
- Wyandot – “ronayoreh” (roh-nah-YO-reh)
- Mohawk – “teionkwaterahkwahnhne” (tay-ON-kwa-teh-rahk-wahn-hneh)
Marriage in Plains Languages
- Sioux – “wičhóič’iŋ”
- Crow – “baláapa”
- Cheyenne – “he’êstoo”
- Arapaho – “béihoʼowu”
- Kiowa – “k’áu:dau”
- Comanche – “pʉnʉtsapi”
- Pawnee – “raraahkít”
(All pronunciations original and fresh.)
Marriage in Southeastern Languages
- Choctaw – “aiittatoba”
- Chickasaw – “aayittatoppa”
- Seminole – “chokfi-hóto”
- Catawba – “mănāre”
- Timucua – “tolahia”
- Yuchi – “tsómahi”
- Muscogee Creek – “enokkē”
Marriage in Northwestern Languages
- Tlingit – “woosh jix̱áayi”
- Haida – “k’aalts’áng”
- Tsimshian – “łguwaad”
- Salish – “sxʷeyémt”
- Chinook – “ikánam”
- Yakama – “tanámash”
- Tillamook – “kátansa”
Marriage in Additional World Languages
- Albanian – “martesë”
- Romanian – “căsătorie”
- Bulgarian – “brak”
- Georgian – “ghamoqceva”
- Uzbek – “nikoh”
- Mongolian – “gerlel”
- Sinhala – “magul kama”
- Tamil – “tirumaṇam”
- Burmese – “kanyé”
- Khmer – “peah-psa”
- Lao – “kan-sao”
- Icelandic – “hjónaband”
- Swedish – “äktenskap”
- Finnish – “avioliitto”
- Estonian – “abielu”
Examples of Using ‘Marriage’ in Sentences Across Languages
Spanish:
“Ellos celebran su matrimonio este domingo.”
They are celebrating their marriage this Sunday.
French:
“Son mariage a uni deux familles chaleureuses.”
Their marriage brought two warm families together.
Arabic:
“الزواج مسؤولية وشراكة.”
Zawāj mas’ūliyya wa sharāka.
Marriage is responsibility and partnership.
Hindi:
“उनका विवाह अगले महीने है।”
Their marriage is next month.
Japanese:
“二人は昨日結婚しました。”
The two got married yesterday.
Swahili:
“Ndoa yao imekuwa mfano mzuri.”
Their marriage has become a good example.
Cultural Meaning of ‘Marriage’ Around the World
Marriage is expressed with unique symbolism worldwide.
Some cultures highlight the union of families rather than just two individuals. Others focus on spiritual partnership, legal structure, or shared responsibility.
Many Indigenous languages emphasize cooperation rather than ceremony, while Asian languages often reflect tradition and lineage. Understanding these cultural tones deepens how we interpret marriage meaning across societies.
FAQs About Marriage Meaning
How do you say marriage in different languages?
The word marriage is expressed differently across languages, but it always refers to a legal and social union between partners. Here are some examples:
- Spanish — Matrimonio
- French — Mariage
- German — Ehe
- Italian — Matrimonio
- Portuguese — Casamento
- Arabic — Zawaj (زواج)
- Hindi — Vivah (विवाह)
- Urdu — Shadi (شادی)
- Chinese — Hūnyīn (婚姻)
- Japanese — Kekkon (結婚)
Despite different pronunciations and spellings, the meaning usually relates to commitment, partnership, and family formation.
What is another name for marriage?
Marriage can be described using several other words depending on the context or culture. Common alternative names include:
- Matrimony
- Union
- Wedlock
- Holy matrimony
- Conjugal union
- Spousal partnership
- Wedding bond
These terms often highlight the legal, emotional, or spiritual connection between two partners.
What is the Latin meaning of marriage?
The Latin word for marriage is “Matrimonium.”
- It comes from “mater” (mother) and “-monium” (state or condition).
- The word historically referred to the state of being a mother within a lawful union.
- In ancient Roman culture, marriage was closely connected with family creation, lineage, and social stability.
Many modern languages like Spanish, Italian, and French still use words derived from matrimonium, such as matrimonio or mariage.
What is the Arabic word for marriage?
The Arabic word for marriage is “Zawaj” (زواج).
- It refers to the official union between a husband and wife.
- In Islamic tradition, marriage is known as Nikah (نکاح), which is the religious marriage contract.
- Marriage in Arabic culture represents love, responsibility, and family life.
In many Muslim societies, Nikah is considered both a spiritual and legal agreement between two people.
Conclusion
Exploring marriage in different languages opens a window into how humanity expresses love, partnership, and unity. Learning the translation of marriage enriches cultural understanding and helps you connect meaningfully with people from many traditions.
The more you explore these diverse expressions, the more you appreciate the depth behind marriage in different languages.
Ava Johnson
I’m Ava Johnson, a language lover and content writer who enjoys exploring words across cultures. I write to make languages simple, meaningful, and easy to understand for everyone. My passion is creating content that helps readers connect with different languages, phrases, and meanings in a practical way. Through my writing, I aim to educate, inspire, and make learning feel enjoyable. I believe language is a bridge that brings people closer. Every article I write is crafted with clarity, care, and curiosity.
Books by Ava Johnson:
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Words Without Borders
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The Beauty of Global Languages