縁組・縁組み|えんぐみengumi[0]heiban (flat)
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Which spelling to use
縁組縁組 is the most common written form of this word and the recommended default for beginners. Use it when writing the word in kanji.
縁組み縁組み is a less common written variant, combining kanji and kana. You may encounter it, but choose 縁組 as a beginner.
Definitions
- noun, suru verb, intransitive verbforming a familial relationship (through adoption, marriage, etc.)縁組は天でなされる。↗Marriage is made in heaven.
- noun, lawadoption
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 縁組する（えんぐみする） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 縁組します（えんぐみします） |
| Negative (nai) | 縁組しない（えんぐみしない） |
| polite (masen) | 縁組しません（えんぐみしません） |
| classical zu / nu | 縁組せず・縁組せぬ（えんぐみせず・えんぐみせぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 縁組した（えんぐみした） |
| polite (mashita) | 縁組しました（えんぐみしました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 縁組しなかった（えんぐみしなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 縁組しませんでした（えんぐみしませんでした） |
| Te form | 縁組して（えんぐみして） |
| Potential | 縁組できる（えんぐみできる） |
| Passive | 縁組される（えんぐみされる） |
| Causative | 縁組させる（えんぐみさせる） |
| Causative passive | 縁組させられる（えんぐみさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 縁組すれば（えんぐみすれば） |
| tara | 縁組したら（えんぐみしたら） |
| Volitional | 縁組しよう（えんぐみしよう） |
| polite (mashou) | 縁組しましょう（えんぐみしましょう） |
| Imperative | 縁組しろ（えんぐみしろ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym養子縁組ようしえんぐみWrittenWritten term for the legal procedure of adoption. More specific than 「縁組」, as it refers only to the parent-child tie, never marriage.
- Synonym縁結びえんむすびNeutralForming a fated tie, as in couples matched by destiny or prayers for marriage at a shrine. About connection and fate, not a legal procedure.
- Synonym結婚けっこんNeutralThe everyday word for getting married, by far the most common. Covers only the husband-wife bond, never adoption.
- Synonym成婚せいこんWrittenWritten word for a marriage being concluded. Used of imperial weddings, and matchmaking services speak of 「成婚率」.
- Related婚姻こんいんWrittenWritten, legal register for marriage, as in 「婚姻届」. Covers only becoming husband and wife, not adoption.
- Related嫁入りよめいりNeutralEveryday word for a woman marrying into her husband's family. Focuses on the bride's side and, unlike 「縁組」, says nothing about adoption.
- Related妻帯さいたいWrittenWritten word for a man taking a wife or being married. Views marriage from the husband's side and, unlike 「縁組」, excludes adoption.
- Related縁定めえんさだめWrittenRare written word for a couple's promise to marry — an engagement, not the union itself. No adoption sense.
- RelatedマリッジNeutralLoanword for marriage, heard mostly in commercial and promotional contexts, as in 「マリッジリング」.
- Related縁付きえんづきWrittenOld-fashioned written word for a woman marrying into her husband's family; rarely used today and narrower than 「縁組」.
- Related輿入れこしいれWrittenElegant written word for a bride's marriage into her husband's home, or the bridal procession itself; evokes weddings of distinguished families.
- Antonym離縁りえんWrittenThe opposite of 「縁組」: severing the tie, whether by divorce or dissolving an adoption.
Use 「縁組」 for forming a family tie by adoption or marriage, especially adoption. For everyday marriage say 「結婚」; in legal contexts, 「婚姻」. 「離縁」 is its opposite, dissolving the tie. The rest are narrower: adoption only (「養子縁組」), the bride's or groom's side (「嫁入り」, 「妻帯」), or dated and rare.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
See also
