casamiento

Casamiento is a noun in Spanish used primarily to refer to the act of getting married or to a wedding ceremony. In everyday language it can denote both the event and the resulting union, though matrimonio is often used for the legal status, while casamiento emphasizes the celebration or process.

The word comes from the verb casarse, with the suffix -miento, forming nouns of action. It is widely used in many Spanish-speaking countries, with regional preferences: in some places casamiento and matrimonio are almost interchangeable, while in others casamiento more strongly connotes the social event rather than the legal status.

In legal and cultural contexts, marriage is typically a civil contract registered with authorities to confer rights and duties such as inheritance, property, and parental responsibilities. Religious ceremonies may accompany civil registration, depending on local law and tradition.

In addition to its primary meaning, casamiento also refers to a traditional Central American dish made with cooked rice and beans, often served with fried plantains and cheese or eggs. The dish exists in variations across Nicaragua, Costa Rica, El Salvador, and other parts of the region, and is commonly eaten as a balanced everyday staple.