matrimonio
“matrimonio” means “marriage” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
marriage
Also: matrimony
📝 In Action
Su matrimonio duró más de cincuenta años.
A2Their marriage lasted more than fifty years.
El matrimonio civil se celebra en el ayuntamiento.
B1The civil marriage ceremony is held at the town hall.
Para ella, el matrimonio es un compromiso para toda la vida.
B2For her, marriage is a lifelong commitment.
married couple
Also: the couple
📝 In Action
El matrimonio que vive al lado es muy amable.
B1The married couple that lives next door is very kind.
Somos un matrimonio joven y acabamos de comprar nuestra primera casa.
B1We are a young married couple and we just bought our first house.
El famoso matrimonio de actores anunció su separación.
B2The famous acting couple announced their separation.
Vocabulary Collections
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: matrimonio
Question 1 of 1
In the sentence 'El matrimonio compró una casa nueva', what does 'el matrimonio' refer to?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Latin word 'matrimōnium'. It's a combination of 'māter', meaning 'mother', and '-mōnium', a suffix that indicates a state or action. The original idea was about the state that allows a woman to become a mother within a legally recognized union.
First recorded: Around the 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What's the real difference between 'matrimonio' and 'boda'?
Think of it this way: 'la boda' is the party (the wedding day, the ceremony, the celebration). 'El matrimonio' is the life that comes after the party (the state of being married). You go to a 'boda' to celebrate the beginning of a 'matrimonio'.
Can 'matrimonio' be used for same-sex couples?
Absolutely. In countries where same-sex marriage is legal, the term is 'matrimonio igualitario' (equal marriage). You can use 'matrimonio' to refer to any legally married couple, regardless of gender.