Meaning and Usage
The word '미혼' specifically refers to a person who is unmarried, typically used in formal or official contexts such as documents, surveys, or announcements. It is a noun and often appears in compound phrases like '미혼 여성' (unmarried women) or '미혼 남성' (unmarried men).
Common Collocations
- 미혼 여성: unmarried women, often used in health or social contexts.
- 미혼 남성: unmarried men, commonly used in demographic or social discussions.
- 미혼 상태: unmarried status, used in official or legal contexts.
Register and Politeness
'미혼' is a neutral and formal term. It is not used in casual conversation to describe someone's relationship status; instead, people might say '결혼하지 않았다' (not married) or '아직 결혼 안 했어요' (haven't married yet).
Common Confusion
Learners sometimes confuse '미혼' with '독신' (single, living alone). '미혼' strictly means never married, while '독신' can mean single regardless of past marriage. Use '미혼' when emphasizing marital status, especially in formal contexts.