Meaning and Usage
"既婚" (きこん) is a formal adjective meaning "married" or "already married." It is often used in official or written contexts rather than casual conversation. It describes a person's marital status, emphasizing that they are not single.
Common Contexts
You will frequently see "既婚" in documents, surveys, or formal announcements, such as "既婚者" (married person) or "既婚者向け" (for married people). It is less common to use "既婚" alone in casual speech; instead, people might say "結婚している".
Collocations and Patterns
- 既婚者 (きこんしゃ): married person; a common noun form.
- 既婚者向け: intended for married people, often used in marketing or event descriptions.
- 既婚・未婚 (きこん・みこん): married and unmarried; used in demographic or survey contexts.
Register and Nuance
"既婚" carries a neutral to formal tone. It is appropriate in written language, official forms, and polite speech. Avoid using it in casual conversations where simpler expressions like "結婚している" are more natural.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "既婚" with "結婚" (marriage as an event). Remember, "既婚" describes the state of being married, not the act of getting married. Also, do not use "既婚" to describe objects or things; it only applies to people.