‘再娶’ literally means ‘again marry’ and specifically refers to a man remarrying after the death of his first wife or after divorce. The character 再 (zài) means ‘again’ or ‘once more’, indicating repetition, while 娶 (qǔ) means ‘to marry (a wife)’ — a verb used exclusively for the groom’s action in traditional Chinese marriage terminology. Unlike the gender-neutral term 再婚 (zài hūn), which applies to both men and women, 再娶 is strictly masculine and reflects historical and cultural norms where male remarriage was socially expected and linguistically distinguished.

This term appears frequently in classical literature, historical narratives, family discussions, and legal or social contexts involving inheritance, filial duty, or widowhood. It carries subtle connotations of continuity — especially regarding lineage and household management — and is rarely used in modern casual speech, where 再婚 is preferred for neutrality. Learners should note that 再娶 cannot be used for women; the corresponding term for a woman remarrying is 再嫁 (zài jià).