wǎnhūn: 晚婚 - Late Marriage

Keywords: wanhun, wǎnhūn, 晚婚, late marriage in China, Chinese marriage culture, getting married late in China, societal pressure to marry, sheng nu, leftover women, Chinese family values.

Summary: 晚婚 (wǎnhūn) literally translates to “late marriage” and refers to the act or phenomenon of marrying at an age considered older than the social norm in China. More than just a demographic statistic, wǎnhūn is a deeply significant cultural topic, often at the center of family discussions, societal debate, and personal anxiety. It is intrinsically linked to modern China's rapid economic changes, shifting gender roles, and the immense pressure young people face from parents to marry and start a family, a pressure that has given rise to terms like 剩女 (shèngnǚ), or “leftover women.”

Pinyin (with tone marks): wǎnhūn

Part of Speech: Noun / Verb

HSK Level: HSK 5

Concise Definition: To marry late; the phenomenon of marrying at an age considered beyond the traditional ideal.

In a Nutshell: Imagine your entire extended family asking you why you're not married yet at every single gathering. That's the feeling behind 晚婚. While in the West, marrying in your 30s is often seen as normal, in China, the traditional expectation was to marry in your early 20s. 晚婚 captures the growing trend of delaying marriage for careers, education, or personal choice, but it also carries the heavy weight of parental expectations and societal judgment.

晚 (wǎn): This character means “late,” “night,” or “evening.” Think of the sun (日) setting and being covered (免). It signifies the latter part of a period.

婚 (hūn): This character means “to marry” or “marriage.” It's composed of 女 (nǚ), meaning “woman,” and 昏 (hūn), meaning “dusk” or “twilight.” This points to the ancient custom of holding wedding ceremonies at dusk.

The characters combine quite literally: 晚 (late) + 婚 (marriage) = 晚婚 (late marriage).

晚婚 is one of the most potent examples of the generation gap in modern China. For older generations, who grew up valuing stability and following a prescribed life path, getting their child married is a fundamental duty and a key part of their own life's success. This is deeply rooted in the value of 孝顺 (xiàoshùn - filial piety), where ensuring the continuation of the family line is a child's ultimate responsibility to their parents.

Comparison to Western Culture: In the U.S. or Europe, “late marriage” is a neutral, demographic term discussed by sociologists. A 32-year-old unmarried professional is typically just seen as a “single person.” In China, a person in the same situation, especially a woman, might be labeled a 剩女 (shèngnǚ - “leftover woman”), a pejorative term that implies she has been “left on the shelf.” The pressure associated with 晚婚 in China is far more personal, intense, and familial than in the West. It can affect a family's 面子 (miànzi - face/social standing) and lead to immense stress and conflict.

The phenomenon is a direct result of China's development. Increased access to higher education and demanding careers, particularly for women, naturally push marriage timelines later. However, cultural norms have not caught up with these socioeconomic shifts, creating a major point of friction in society.

In Family Conversations: This is where the term is most emotionally charged. Parents might say, “你再不结婚就真的要晚婚了！” (If you don't get married soon, you'll really be a 'late marriage' case!), expressing anxiety and pressure. This can often lead to 逼婚 (bīhūn - forced marriage pressure).

In News and Media: Journalists and sociologists use 晚婚 as a neutral term to discuss demographic trends, rising housing costs, and changing social values. E.g., “The trend of 晚婚 is becoming more pronounced in major cities like Shanghai and Beijing.”

Among Young People: For many young Chinese, 晚婚 can be a conscious choice and a point of pride. On social media, you might see someone post, “I'd rather choose 晚婚 than settle for the wrong person.” Here, it's reframed as a positive assertion of independence and high standards.

Mistake 1: Treating it as a fixed definition. A common mistake is to ask “What age is 晚婚?” The answer is subjective. For a grandmother from a rural area, 25 might be 晚婚. For a PhD student in Beijing, 35 might feel normal. The term is relative to the speaker's own cultural and generational expectations.

False Friend: “Late Marriage”. As mentioned, “late marriage” in English is a neutral demographic label. 晚婚 in Chinese is a culturally loaded term that carries implications of parental disappointment, social judgment, and personal stress. Using it casually can be a minefield. For instance, telling a potential Chinese mother-in-law, “我儿子打算晚婚” (My son plans to marry late) might be interpreted as “My son is not responsible” rather than “My son is focusing on his career first.”

Incorrect Usage: Saying something like “我喜欢晚婚” (I like late marriage) is grammatically correct but sounds odd. It's a phenomenon or a choice, not something you “like” in the way you like coffee. It's better to say “我选择晚婚” (I choose to marry late) or “我不在乎晚婚” (I don't mind marrying late).

剩女 (shèngnǚ) - “Leftover woman,” a crucial and often pejorative term for educated, urban women who are unmarried past their late twenties. It is the most direct consequence of the social stigma against 晚婚.

逼婚 (bīhūn) - The act of pressuring or forcing someone to get married, usually by parents. This is the action that makes 晚婚 such a stressful topic.

相亲 (xiāngqīn) - A blind date or formal matchmaking meeting, often arranged by parents as a “cure” for their child's 晚婚 status.

剩男 (shèngnán) - “Leftover man,” the male equivalent of 剩女, though the term generally carries less social stigma.

孝顺 (xiàoshùn) - Filial piety. The cultural value that drives parents' intense desire for their children to marry and have kids, thus avoiding 晚婚.

晚育 (wǎnyù) - Late childbearing. The logical next step after 晚婚.

裸婚 (luǒhūn) - “Naked marriage.” Marrying without a house, a car, or a large wedding banquet. This is sometimes seen as a way for couples to marry earlier despite economic pressures that would otherwise lead to 晚婚.

闪婚 (shǎnhūn) - “Flash marriage.” Marrying very quickly after meeting, sometimes as an impulsive reaction to the mounting pressure of 晚婚.