How to say "divorce" in Japanese

• 離婚りこんJLPT N3approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbThe default word for divorce itself, as an event or legal status. Use this when you mean 'divorce' as a noun, as in a couple's divorce or talking about divorce generally.
  私は離婚りこんに同意どういするつもりだ。↗

  I will consent to the divorce.
• 離縁りえんCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbCovers divorce, often with a formal or legal flavor, and can also refer to dissolving ties such as an adoption. Suitable for the divorce sense, though 離婚 is the more ordinary choice.
• 離別りべつCommon
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbPrimarily means separation, with divorce as a secondary sense. It is seldom the word you want for 'divorce' as an everyday term; reach for it mainly when separation itself is the point.
  結婚けっこんしている人々ひとびとの間あいだでは、離婚りこんや離別りべつが増ふえ、その結果けっか、片親かたおやの家庭かていがますます多おおくなっている。↗

  Among married couples, there has been an increase in divorce and separation with the result that there are many more one-parent families.
• 縁切りえんきりCommon
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbCentered on severing connections, with separation and divorce among its senses. It is really about cutting ties rather than the institution of divorce, so it is rarely the best rendering of 'divorce' alone.
• 別れるわかれるJLPT N4approx.Common
  ichidan verb, intransitive verbA verb: to separate, break up, or divorce. Use it when the English is verbal, as in a couple divorcing or a couple who divorced.
  あなたが彼女かのじょと別わかれるのは賢明けんめいである。↗

  You will do well to leave her.

Use 離婚 for divorce as a noun/event; 「別れる」 when the verb 'to divorce' fits; the other entries are narrower or mostly about separation, so check each note.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 離婚りこんdivorce
• 離縁りえんdivorce
• 離別りべつseparation
• 縁切りえんきりseparation
• 不縁ふえんdivorce
• 夫婦別れふうふわかれdivorce
• ディボースdivorce
• 破婚はこんmarriage breakup
• 別れるわかれるto separate (of a couple)
• いとまresignation
• 破鏡はきょうmarital separation
• 去るさるto send away
• 暇ひまdismissal