離縁|りえんrien[1]atamadaka (head-high)
This browser can't play pronunciations (needs Safari 18.4 or later, or Chrome / Edge / Firefox).
Definitions
- noun, suru verb, transitive verbdivorce
- noun, suru verb, transitive verbdissolution of adoption
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 離縁する（りえんする） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 離縁します（りえんします） |
| Negative (nai) | 離縁しない（りえんしない） |
| polite (masen) | 離縁しません（りえんしません） |
| classical zu / nu | 離縁せず・離縁せぬ（りえんせず・りえんせぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 離縁した（りえんした） |
| polite (mashita) | 離縁しました（りえんしました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 離縁しなかった（りえんしなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 離縁しませんでした（りえんしませんでした） |
| Te form | 離縁して（りえんして） |
| Potential | 離縁できる（りえんできる） |
| Passive | 離縁される（りえんされる） |
| Causative | 離縁させる（りえんさせる） |
| Causative passive | 離縁させられる（りえんさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 離縁すれば（りえんすれば） |
| tara | 離縁したら（りえんしたら） |
| Volitional | 離縁しよう（りえんしよう） |
| polite (mashou) | 離縁しましょう（りえんしましょう） |
| Imperative | 離縁しろ（りえんしろ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym離別りべつWrittenWritten word for parting or separation between people; can also mean divorce. Focuses on the parting itself and, unlike 「離縁」, never covers dissolving an adoption.
- Synonym離婚りこんNeutralThe standard modern term for legally ending a marriage. 「離縁」 sounds dated and, unlike this word, can also mean dissolving an adoption.
- Synonym別れるわかれるNeutralNeutral verb for parting or breaking up; range is wide, covering lovers and friends as well as couples. Much broader than the dated 「離縁」.
- Synonym縁切りえんきりNeutralSevering a relationship — a marriage or any human tie. Also known from 「縁切り寺」, temples where people pray to cut unlucky ties.
- Related夫婦別れふうふわかれCasualColloquial for a husband and wife splitting up. Stresses the parting itself rather than legal formalities, and, unlike 「離縁」, says nothing about adoption.
- Related不縁ふえんWrittenWritten word for having no bond or for marriage talks falling through; very rare. For a broken engagement one normally says 「破談」.
- Antonym結婚けっこんNeutralAntonym: becoming husband and wife, as in 「結婚式」. Where 「離縁」 dissolves the marital bond, this word creates it.
- Antonym縁組えんぐみNeutralAntonym: forming a family tie by marriage or, especially, adoption. 「離縁」 dissolves exactly the bonds this word creates.
For divorce today say 「離婚」; in casual speech, 「別れる」. 「離縁」 is old-fashioned and also covers dissolving an adoption — 「養子を離縁する」 — so reserve it for that sense or older prose.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
