Meaning
The kanji 嫁 (yome, totsugu) primarily means 'a bride,' 'a daughter-in-law,' or 'to marry' (specifically referring to a woman). This character reflects traditional Japanese and East Asian family structures, where a woman typically moved to her husband's family upon marriage, becoming part of their household. The meanings of 嫁 cover both the specific individual (the bride or daughter-in-law) and the act of marriage itself from the woman's perspective.
Etymologically, 嫁 is a phono-semantic compound. The left-hand radical, 女 (onna), clearly signifies 'woman' or 'female,' providing the semantic component. This visually connects the kanji's meaning directly to the female experience. The right-hand component, 叚 (ka/ja), acts primarily as a phonetic element, giving the kanji its on'yomi 'KA'. While 叚 itself can mean 'to borrow' or 'false,' its meaning here might subtly suggest a woman being 'given over' or 'transferred' from her birth family to another. This visual construction aptly illustrates the idea of a woman transitioning roles and families through marriage.
The kanji 嫁 has 13 strokes. It's a Joyo kanji, typically introduced in junior high school in Japan. This makes it an important character for advanced Japanese learners preparing for the JLPT N1.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The on'yomi reading for 嫁 is カ (KA). This reading isn't very common in everyday modern Japanese. It typically appears in more formal, classical, or specialized compounds, especially those with Chinese origins. It's not commonly used alone but rather as part of a larger word, often describing marriage from a more formal or administrative perspective.
- 嫁娶 (kashu) — marriage (a formal, somewhat archaic term for a woman marrying)
- 再嫁 (saika) — remarriage (specifically of a woman)
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The kun'yomi readings are far more common and practical in daily Japanese conversation and writing, directly reflecting the kanji's native Japanese meanings.
よめ (yome): This is the most common kun'yomi, meaning 'bride' or 'daughter-in-law.' It can also colloquially refer to one's wife, particularly in a family context or when referring to a young wife. For instance, a husband might affectionately refer to his wife as うちの嫁 (uchi no yome).
- 嫁 (yome) — bride, daughter-in-law, (my) wife
- 花嫁 (hanayome) — bride (lit. 'flower bride')
- 嫁入り (yomeiri) — marriage (of a woman), becoming a bride and joining the husband's family
とつ-ぐ (totsu-gu): This is a verb, meaning 'to marry' or 'to be given in marriage,' exclusively used for women. It emphasizes the woman's transition from her birth family to her husband's family.
- 嫁ぐ (totsugu) — to marry (of a woman)
- 娘が嫁ぐ (musume ga totsugu) — a daughter gets married
- 嫁がせる (totsugaseru) — to give (one's daughter) in marriage
Common Words & Compounds
Grasping the meanings of 嫁 is essential for understanding discussions about family, marriage, and societal roles in Japan. Below are some common words and compounds, categorized for easier learning:
Family Roles & Relationships
- 嫁 (yome) — Bride; daughter-in-law; (colloquial) wife. This is a basic and important term.
- 花嫁 (hanayome) — The most direct and beautiful term for 'bride,' often used in wedding ceremonies.
- 嫁姑 (yome shūtome) — Daughter-in-law and mother-in-law. This compound refers to the often complex relationship between a daughter-in-law and her mother-in-law.
The Act of Marrying (for a Woman)
- 嫁ぐ (totsugu) — To marry (used exclusively for a woman). This verb describes the action itself.
- 嫁入り (yomeiri) — Marriage (of a woman); the act of a bride joining her husband's family.
- 嫁がせる (totsugaseru) — To give (one's daughter) in marriage. This is the causative form of 嫁ぐ.
- 嫁に行く (yome ni iku) — To get married (informal, commonly used expression for a woman).
- 嫁を迎える (yome o mukaeru) — To welcome a bride or daughter-in-law; to take a wife.
Related Concepts & Situations
- 再嫁 (saika) — Remarriage (specifically for a woman). This uses the less common on'yomi 'KA'.
- 嫁ぎ先 (totsugisaki) — The family a woman marries into; her husband's family.
- 嫁の衣装 (yome no ishō) — Bridal costume.
- 良妻賢母の嫁 (ryōsai kenbo no yome) — A bride or daughter-in-law who represents the ideal of a 'good wife and wise mother.'
Example Sentences
彼女は来年嫁ぐ予定だ。
Kanojo wa rainen totsugu yotei da.
She is scheduled to get married next year.
彼の家には新しい嫁が来た。
Kare no ie ni wa atarashii yome ga kita.
A new daughter-in-law came to his family.
花嫁は美しい白いドレスを着ていた。
Hanayome wa utsukushii shiroi doresu o kite ita.
The bride was wearing a beautiful white dress.
昔は娘を遠くの町へ嫁がせることもあった。
Mukashi wa musume o tōku no machi e totsugaseru koto mo atta.
In the past, daughters were sometimes married off to distant towns.
彼のお母さんは、将来の嫁に高い期待を持っている。
Kare no okaasan wa, shōrai no yome ni takai kitai o motte iru.
His mother has high expectations for his future wife/daughter-in-law.
彼女は自分の選んだ人と嫁ぎたいと願っている。
Kanojo wa jibun no eranda hito to totsugitai to negatte iru.
She wishes to marry the person she chose.
嫁姑の関係は、いつの時代も複雑なものです。
Yome shūtome no kankei wa, itsu no jidai mo fukuzatsu na mono desu.
The relationship between a daughter-in-law and mother-in-law is always complex.
彼は立派な家庭を築くために、良い嫁を見つけたいと考えている。
Kare wa rippa na katei o kizuku tame ni, yoi yome o mitsuketai to kangaete iru.
He is thinking of finding a good wife/daughter-in-law to build a respectable family.
彼女は結婚を機に遠くの地へ嫁いでいった。
Kanojo wa kekkon o ki ni tōku no chi e totsuide itta.
She moved far away to marry.
時代とともに、嫁の役割や結婚の形も変わってきている。
Jidai to tomo ni, yome no yakuwari ya kekkon no katachi mo kawatte kite iru.
Along with the times, the role of a wife/daughter-in-law and the forms of marriage are also changing.
Memory Tip
To remember 嫁, focus on its two main components. On the left, 女 (woman), clearly signifies a female. On the right, 叚, suggests the On'yomi 'KA' and Kun'yomi 'yome' or 'totsu-gu'. A mnemonic story could be: Imagine a woman (女) who is 'given away' or 'borrowed' (from the component 叚's alternate meaning) from her original family to join a new one as a bride or daughter-in-law. Visualize her being 'lent' or 'transferred' to a new household, reflecting her new role in marriage.