Inklingo

How to Say "marriage" in Spanish

English → Spanish

matrimonio

/ma-tree-MOH-nyoh//matɾiˈmonjo/

nounA2general
Use 'matrimonio' to refer to the institution, state, or relationship of being married, often implying a long-term union.
Two simple, thick golden wedding bands interlocked at the center, symbolizing the state and institution of marriage.

Examples

Su matrimonio duró más de cincuenta años.

Their marriage lasted more than fifty years.

El matrimonio civil se celebra en el ayuntamiento.

The civil marriage ceremony is held at the town hall.

Para ella, el matrimonio es un compromiso para toda la vida.

For her, marriage is a lifelong commitment.

Always a Masculine Noun

Even though marriage can involve people of any gender, the word 'matrimonio' itself is always masculine in Spanish. So, you'll always say 'el matrimonio' or 'un matrimonio'.

Confusing 'matrimonio' and 'boda'

Mistake: “Me invitaron a su matrimonio el sábado.”

Correction: Me invitaron a su boda el sábado. (They invited me to their wedding on Saturday.) 'Boda' is the wedding ceremony or party, while 'matrimonio' is the long-term state of being married.

boda

/BO-da//ˈboða/

nounA1general
Use 'boda' exclusively to refer to the wedding ceremony or celebration itself, not the state of being married.
A cheerful illustration of a bride in a white dress and a groom in a suit holding hands, standing under a simple floral arch, symbolizing a wedding ceremony.

Examples

La boda es el sábado por la tarde.

The wedding is on Saturday afternoon.

Fuimos a la boda de mi prima en México.

We went to my cousin's wedding in Mexico.

Están planeando una boda muy grande con más de doscientos invitados.

They are planning a very big wedding with more than two hundred guests.

Always Feminine

Remember that 'boda' is a feminine word. So, you'll always say 'la boda' (the wedding) or 'una boda' (a wedding).

'Boda' vs. 'Matrimonio'

Mistake: “'Boda' describes the event, the party. 'Matrimonio' usually describes the state of being married. So, you wouldn't say: 'Ellos tienen una boda de 20 años.'”

Correction: Instead, say: 'Ellos tienen un matrimonio de 20 años.' (They have a 20-year marriage.) Use 'boda' for the day itself: 'Su boda fue hace 20 años.' (Their wedding was 20 years ago.)

casamiento

/ka-sa-MYEN-to//kasaˈmjento/

nounB1general
Use 'casamiento' to refer to the legal or formal act of getting married, often used when talking about attending someone else's wedding event.
A happy couple in formal wedding attire standing under a floral archway.

Examples

Fuimos al casamiento de mi primo el sábado pasado.

We went to my cousin's wedding last Saturday.

El casamiento civil es un trámite rápido.

The civil marriage is a quick legal process.

It's a masculine word

Since it ends in -o, it is almost always masculine. Use 'el' or 'un' with it: 'el casamiento'.

Casamiento vs. Casado

Mistake: “Using 'casamiento' to describe a person.”

Correction: Use 'casamiento' for the event, but use 'casado' or 'casada' to say a person is married.

unión

nounC1formal
Use 'unión' to describe a formal partnership or union, which may or may not be a legal marriage.

Examples

La pareja decidió formalizar su unión después de diez años.

The couple decided to formalize their partnership after ten years.

Don't confuse the wedding event with the married state

The most common mistake is using 'boda' (wedding ceremony) when you mean the state of being married. Remember, 'boda' is the party, while 'matrimonio' is the relationship.

Related Translations

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