marry into · bride

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 嫁 refers to marrying into a family or a woman in that relationship; its kun-readings are よめ and とつぐ.
• Basic usage: 嫁(よめ) means a daughter-in-law or wife, while 嫁ぐ(とつぐ) means to marry into a family.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• The perspectives of daughter-in-law and wife
  • In the dinner example, 嫁 refers to the mother's daughter-in-law; in the letter example, it refers to the man's wife. The meaning depends on whose relationship is described.
  • 隣町へ嫁いだ means that someone married into a family in the neighboring town. The past form of 嫁ぐ is 嫁いだ.