離婚

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 離婚 is read as りこん and functions as a noun or with する for ending an existing marriage.
• Basic usage: Use 両親の離婚に戸惑う for its effect on someone and 離婚を選ぶ for the couple’s decision.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Parties and affected family
  • The spouses are the parties to the divorce, while a novel may focus on a child confused by their parents’ decision.
• Discussion before the decision
  • 何度も話し合った末に presents repeated discussion as the process preceding the choice to divorce.