Definition

1. Noun:
   • Civil marriage: "phép cưới" refers to the official, legal recognition of a marriage by state authorities, as opposed to a religious ceremony. It is the formal act of getting married before a civil officer.
   • Wedding ceremony (civil): It can also denote the specific civil ceremony itself where the marriage is officiated.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Họ đã làm phép cưới tại Ủy ban nhân dân quận. (They had their civil marriage at the District People's Committee.)
  • Phép cưới là thủ tục pháp lý để hai người trở thành vợ chồng. (A civil marriage is the legal procedure for two people to become husband and wife.)

Advanced Usage

• "Làm phép cưới": to perform/celebrate a civil marriage.
  • Ông chủ tịch xã sẽ làm phép cưới cho họ vào tuần tới. (The commune chairman will perform their civil marriage next week.)

Variants and Related Words

• Hôn nhân (dân sự) (n): (Civil) marriage. This is a more formal or legal term for the institution itself.
• Lễ cưới (n): Wedding ceremony. This is a broader term that can include both civil and religious ceremonies.
• Đăng ký kết hôn (n): Marriage registration. This refers specifically to the administrative act of registering the marriage.

Synonyms

• Kết hôn (theo luật định): To marry (according to the law).
• Hôn lễ dân sự: Civil wedding ceremony.

Related Phrases

• Cưới hỏi (n): Wedding and betrothal; the overall process and ceremonies of marriage.
• Cưới chạy tang (n): A rushed marriage held before a period of mourning begins for a deceased family member. (This is a specific cultural practice, distinct from the standard "phép cưới").

1. Civil marriage