As China continues to grow and change, its culture is changing rapidly as well. Family life looks very different now than it did just two generations ago. This next generation is seeking new ways of doing life and making it work for them in this new era especially marriage. There are many new beliefs about marriage surfacing in Chinese society today, and new Mandarin terms are emerging along with these ideas. Here are a few new terms about how relationships are changing in China. Trial Marriage 试婚 (shì hūn) In this new type of “marriage,” basically a couple “tries out” what is like to be married without actually getting married. It is living like you are married without the commitment, 承诺(chéngnuò), that would traditionally accompany it. More and more young couples are beginning to “give marriage a shot” before officially tying the knot. Many individuals value their freedom and independence; hence he or she fear making the wrong choice or getting tied down too soon. And it is not just young couples whom are beginning to think this is a good idea. Some parents are starting to encourage their children to “try being married to....
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