ehen

Ehen is the plural form of the German noun Ehe, meaning marriage. As a plural noun, Ehen refers to marriages in general or to the institution of marriage as a social and legal status. It is most commonly found in formal or literary contexts, as well as in sociological and genealogical writing. Related terms include Ehestand, the state of being married, and Eheschließung, the act of entering into marriage.

Usage of the term tends to be neutral and descriptive. Ehen can appear in discussions about marriages across generations, in analyses of marriage law and history, or in descriptions of cultural attitudes toward marriage. In everyday speech, speakers more often use the singular form Ehe when referring to a specific marriage, while Ehen may be used when speaking about multiple marriages or about the institution in a broader sense.

Legal and social context: Germany recognizes marriage as a civil institution available to all eligible adults. Since 2017, same-sex marriages have been legally recognized, expanding the scope of what is encompassed by Ehe and by Ehen in legal and social discussions. In genealogical records and historical writing, lists or references to Ehen provide information about spouses, dates, and the role of marriage in family histories. Overall, Ehen functions primarily as a literary or formal plural form while Ehe remains the predominant everyday term for an individual marriage.