xīnláng: 新郎 - Groom, Bridegroom

• Keywords: xinlang, 新郎, groom, bridegroom, Chinese wedding, Chinese groom, what is a groom called in Chinese, marriage in China, xinniang, 新娘, 婚礼
• Summary: 新郎 (xīnláng) is the essential Chinese term for “groom” or “bridegroom,” the man at the center of a wedding. This page breaks down the meaning of 新郎, its cultural significance in modern Chinese weddings, and how to use it correctly in conversation. Learn about the groom's role, from traditional ceremonies to the wedding banquet, and understand its relationship to key concepts like “bride” (新娘, xīnniáng) and “getting married” (结婚, jiéhūn).

• Pinyin (with tone marks): xīnláng
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: The man who is about to be married or has just been married; the groom.
• In a Nutshell: 新郎 (xīnláng) is the direct and universal word for “groom” in Mandarin Chinese. It literally translates to “new young man,” capturing the essence of a man entering a new stage of life through marriage. The term is used almost exclusively during the time of the wedding itself—the days leading up to it, the wedding day, and the immediate honeymoon period.

• 新 (xīn): This character means “new,” “fresh,” or “recent.” It's the same character used in words like “New Year” (新年, xīnnián) and “news” (新闻, xīnwén).
• 郎 (láng): An older, more literary term for a “young man” or “official.” While not commonly used by itself today, it appears in several important words, including this one and 伴郎 (bànláng), the best man.
• Together, 新 (new) + 郎 (young man) creates 新郎 (xīnláng), a “newly-made young man” who is starting his married life. It perfectly describes his status on the wedding day.

The role of the 新郎 in a Chinese wedding is both celebratory and filled with responsibility, often reflecting family-centric values. While a Western groom's experience might be defined by his bachelor party and standing at the altar, a Chinese groom's wedding day is packed with specific, meaningful rituals. A key event is 接亲 (jiēqīn), or “picking up the bride.” The 新郎, accompanied by his groomsmen (伴郎团, bànláng tuán), must go to the bride's home. Here, he is blocked at the door by the bridesmaids (伴娘, bànniáng) and must pass a series of challenges known as “door games” (堵门游戏, dǔmén yóuxì). These can include singing songs, answering questions about his relationship, and performing silly tasks, all to “prove” his love and worthiness. Often, he must also hand over red envelopes (红包, hóngbāo) to the bridesmaids. At the wedding banquet, the 新郎, alongside his bride (新娘, xīnniáng), is expected to 敬酒 (jìngjiǔ)—go from table to table toasting every single guest. This is a sign of respect and gratitude, reinforcing social harmony and acknowledging the community that has come to celebrate with them. This can be an exhausting marathon of drinking and socializing, symbolizing his commitment to both his new wife and the joining of their families. These traditions emphasize that a marriage is not just a union of two individuals, but an integration of two families and their social networks.

新郎 is the standard, go-to word for “groom.” It's used in all contexts, from casual conversation to formal announcements.

• In Conversation: Friends and family will refer to the groom as the 新郎 on and around the wedding day. For example, “今天新郎很帅!” (The groom is so handsome today!).
• At the Wedding: The MC, photographer, and other vendors will use 新郎 to address or refer to the groom.
• Formality: The term is neutral and appropriate in both formal and informal settings. There isn't a separate slang or formal word that is more common. It's simply the correct word for “groom.”

• Example 1:
  • 今天的新郎真帅啊！
  • Pinyin: Jīntiān de xīnláng zhēn shuài a!
  • English: The groom is so handsome today!
  • Analysis: A very common compliment you'd hear at a wedding. It's a simple, positive observation.
• Example 2:
  • 新郎什么时候来接新娘？
  • Pinyin: Xīnláng shénme shíhòu lái jiē xīnniáng?
  • English: When is the groom coming to pick up the bride?
  • Analysis: This sentence directly references the 接亲 (jiēqīn) tradition. It's a practical question that would be asked on the morning of the wedding.
• Example 3:
  • 这是新郎的父母。
  • Pinyin: Zhè shì xīnláng de fùmǔ.
  • English: These are the groom's parents.
  • Analysis: A simple introductory sentence used to identify family members at a wedding.
• Example 4:
  • 恭喜新郎新娘！
  • Pinyin: Gōngxǐ xīnláng xīnniáng!
  • English: Congratulations to the groom and bride!
  • Analysis: This is the most common congratulatory phrase said to the couple at a wedding.
• Example 5:
  • 按照传统，新郎要给伴娘红包。
  • Pinyin: Ànzhào chuántǒng, xīnláng yào gěi bànniáng hóngbāo.
  • English: According to tradition, the groom has to give the bridesmaids red envelopes.
  • Analysis: This explains a key part of the “door games” and shows how 新郎 functions as the subject of a sentence describing wedding customs.
• Example 6:
  • 伴郎是新郎最好的朋友。
  • Pinyin: Bànláng shì xīnláng zuì hǎo de péngyǒu.
  • English: The best man is the groom's best friend.
  • Analysis: This sentence helps to define the relationship between the groom (新郎) and the best man (伴郎).
• Example 7:
  • 新郎在婚礼上发表了感人的演讲。
  • Pinyin: Xīnláng zài hūnlǐ shàng fābiǎo le gǎnrén de yǎnjiǎng.
  • English: The groom gave a touching speech at the wedding banquet.
  • Analysis: Shows the groom in a more formal, active role during the wedding ceremony.
• Example 8:
  • 新郎，你愿意娶这位女士为妻吗？
  • Pinyin: Xīnláng, nǐ yuànyì qǔ zhè wèi nǚshì wéi qī ma?
  • English: Groom, are you willing to take this lady as your wife?
  • Analysis: The type of formal question an officiant would ask during the ceremony, addressing the groom directly.
• Example 9:
  • 婚礼结束后，新郎和新娘要去意大利度蜜月。
  • Pinyin: Hūnlǐ jiéshù hòu, xīnláng hé xīnniáng yào qù Yìdàlì dù mìyuè.
  • English: After the wedding, the groom and bride are going to Italy for their honeymoon.
  • Analysis: Demonstrates that the term is still appropriate in the period immediately following the wedding day itself.
• Example 10:
  • 大家都想跟新郎喝酒。
  • Pinyin: Dàjiā dōu xiǎng gēn xīnláng hējiǔ.
  • English: Everyone wants to drink a toast with the groom.
  • Analysis: This alludes to the 敬酒 (jìngjiǔ) custom, where the groom is expected to drink with guests.

• Time-Sensitivity: The most common mistake learners make is using 新郎 long after the wedding is over. 新郎 is a temporary title. Once the wedding and honeymoon period has passed, the man is no longer a 新郎; he is a 丈夫 (zhàngfu) or, more commonly, 老公 (lǎogōng), meaning “husband.” Calling someone's husband of five years a 新郎 would sound very strange.
  • Correct: 他是我老公。(Tā shì wǒ lǎogōng.) - He is my husband.
  • Incorrect: 他是我新郎。(Tā shì wǒ xīnláng.) - He is my groom. (Only correct on the wedding day).
• Distinguishing 郎 (láng) from 狼 (láng): Be careful with pronunciation. 新郎 (xīnláng) has a second tone (rising). The word for “wolf,” 狼 (láng), is spelled identically in pinyin but uses a second tone as well. However, the characters are completely different. While the context usually makes the meaning clear, it's a common mix-up for beginners learning characters.

• 新娘 (xīnniáng) - The bride; the direct counterpart to the groom.
• 婚礼 (hūnlǐ) - Wedding ceremony/banquet; the event where you will find a 新郎 and 新娘.
• 结婚 (jiéhūn) - (Verb) To get married.
• 伴郎 (bànláng) - The best man; literally “accompanying young man.”
• 伴娘 (bànniáng) - The bridesmaid; literally “accompanying lady.”
• 老公 (lǎogōng) - Husband; the common, informal term used after the wedding.
• 丈夫 (zhàngfu) - Husband; a more formal term used after the wedding.
• 敬酒 (jìngjiǔ) - To toast; a key wedding banquet activity for the 新郎 and 新娘.
• 红包 (hóngbāo) - Red envelope; contains money and is given by the 新郎 during wedding games and by guests as a gift.
• 接亲 (jiēqīn) - The important tradition of the groom “picking up the bride” from her family home on the wedding day.