不ふ縁えん

noun

divorce; dissolution of marriage

A somewhat formal or literary term for divorce, often used in historical or legal contexts. In modern casual speech, 離婚 (りこん) is more common.

• 江え戸ど時じ代だいには、不ふ縁えんは比ひ較かく的てき簡かん単たんに行おこなわれた。

  In the Edo period, divorce was carried out relatively easily.

noun

unrealized marriage prospects; broken engagement

Refers to a marriage that was arranged or expected but did not come to pass, or an engagement that was called off. Often used in the context of traditional arranged marriages (見合い).

• 見み合あいの話はなしは結けっ局きょく不ふ縁えんに終おわった。

  The marriage meeting ultimately ended without a match.