jià: 嫁 - (of a woman) to marry, to marry off (a daughter)

Keywords: 嫁, jia, marry Chinese, Chinese word for marry, 嫁给, jia gei, Chinese wedding, Chinese marriage culture, marry off a daughter, get married in Chinese, 娶 vs 嫁, qu vs jia

Summary: In Chinese, the verb 嫁 (jià) specifically means for a woman to marry. Unlike the English word “marry,” it is not gender-neutral and reflects the traditional cultural concept of a woman leaving her family to join her husband's. Understanding 嫁 (jià), as opposed to its male counterpart 娶 (qǔ), is essential for grasping the nuances of family, relationships, and marriage in Chinese culture. This page will break down its meaning, cultural significance, and modern practical usage.

Pinyin (with tone marks): jià

Part of Speech: Verb

HSK Level: HSK 4

Concise Definition: (For a woman) to get married; to marry off (a daughter).

In a Nutshell: 嫁 (jià) is the act of marrying, but exclusively from the bride's perspective. It paints a picture of a woman “marrying into” a new family. Think of it less as a simple union of two people and more as a traditional transfer of a woman from her paternal household to her husband's.

The character 嫁 (jià) is a beautiful example of a phono-semantic compound character, where one part gives the meaning and the other gives the sound.

女 (nǚ): This is the semantic radical, meaning “woman” or “female”. It clearly indicates that the action is related to a woman.

家 (jiā): This is the phonetic component, meaning “family” or “home”. Its pronunciation, `jiā`, is very similar to `jià`, indicating the character's sound.

The combination powerfully illustrates the word's meaning: a 女 (woman) joins a new 家 (family).

In traditional Chinese culture, society was strongly patrilineal, meaning lineage and inheritance were passed down through the male line. When a woman married, she would leave her own family and become a member of her husband's family. This act is precisely what 嫁 (jià) describes. She would “marry out” (嫁出去 - jià chūqù).

While modern China is more egalitarian, this linguistic structure remains deeply embedded. It reflects the cultural value placed on family continuity and the historically distinct roles of men and women in a marriage. Understanding this difference is key to avoiding cultural misunderstandings and appreciating the deep-seated concepts of family in China.

嫁给 (jià gěi) - To Marry (a specific person): This is the most common structure. The pattern is `[Woman] + 嫁给 + [Man]`.

嫁人 (jià rén) - To Get Married: A more general term, literally “to marry a person.” It's often used when the husband is not specified. For example, “她三十岁了，还没嫁人” (She's 30 and still hasn't gotten married).

嫁得好 (jià de hǎo) - To Marry Well: This is a very common phrase that often implies marrying into a family with good financial status, social standing, or where the husband is kind and treats her well. It reflects the practical considerations often associated with marriage.

嫁出去 (jià chūqù) - To Marry Off / Marry Out: Often used by parents or family members when talking about a daughter getting married. It carries a strong sense of her leaving the nest.

娶 (qǔ) - The male counterpart: (of a man) to marry, to take a wife. The action from the groom's perspective.

结婚 (jiéhūn) - The most common, gender-neutral term for “to get married.” It focuses on the couple's union.

婚礼 (hūnlǐ) - Wedding ceremony; the event itself.

新娘 (xīnniáng) - Bride. The `新 (xīn)` means “new.”

新郎 (xīnláng) - Groom.

嫁妆 (jiàzhuang) - Dowry; the money, goods, or estate that a woman brings to her husband's family in marriage.

出嫁 (chūjià) - A slightly more formal or literary term for a woman getting married, literally “to marry out.”

招赘 (zhāozhuì) - To have a man marry into the bride's family, a matrilocal marriage. This is the reverse of the traditional norm and is culturally significant.

剩女 (shèngnǚ) - “Leftover woman”; a modern, often derogatory, term for an educated, urban woman who is unmarried past her late twenties. This concept is directly tied to the societal pressure for women to 嫁.