Words to Avoid at Weddings: Alternatives to "Separation," "Parting," and "Conflict"

2018.08.21 published

Do You Know About Imi Kotoba?

Do you know about "imi kotoba" that should not be used at weddings?

Imi kotoba refers to words that are considered bad omens.

Words like "separate," "collide," "break," "pass away," and "end" evoke negative associations about future misfortunes or separations, so it's best to refrain from using them at weddings.

There are quite a few of these imi kotoba, so let me introduce them to you＊

Forbidden Imi Kotoba at Weddings

・Separating

・Ending

・Colliding

・Breaking

・Passing away

・Boredom

・Sad

・Erasing

・Breaking down

・Cooling down

・Ceasing

・Chipping

・Hating

・Withering

・Falling

・Illness

・Bad

・Losing

・Cutting

・Running away

・Leaving

・Falling down

・Repeating

・Again

・Painful

・Suffering

・Disappearing

・Again

・Returning

Therefore, Rephrasing is Necessary!

If you find yourself about to use an imi kotoba in a speech or paper items, it's important to rephrase it wisely＊

For the part saying "at last," change it to "in conclusion,"

Instead of "before the dishes cool down," say "while the dishes are warm,"

Change "to cut the cake" to "to insert the knife into the cake,"

Instead of "the petals scatter," say "the petals dance,"

Change "we will conclude the reception" to "we will open up the reception," etc.,

These phrases are unique to weddings, so it's useful to remember them◎

Be Careful Not to Use Imi Kotoba＊

I've introduced the "imi kotoba" that are considered bad luck to use at weddings＊

Many people today are less concerned about imi kotoba, but there are still those, especially among seniors like bosses and grandparents, who are particular about them.

Of course, words are an important way to express oneself, so if you feel that "this phrasing is characteristic of me," then feel free to express it that way.

However, we want to avoid the regret of saying, "If I had known this was an imi kotoba, I wouldn't have used it...!"

Knowing the rules well and being able to choose for oneself is what makes a responsible adult♩

➡ Here is a site where you can easily check for imi kotoba＊