Translation guide
The English word "contract" covers several distinct concepts: a legal agreement, the physical document, the act of formally agreeing, the act of shrinking, and the act of catching a disease. Japanese uses different words and expressions for each.
A formal, legally binding agreement between parties.
The most common and general term for a legal contract or agreement. Used in business, law, and everyday contexts.
契約書にサインしてください。
Please sign the contract.
彼らは新しい契約を結んだ。
They entered into a new contract.
Specifically refers to the written document of a contract. Use when emphasizing the physical or digital document.
契約書の内容を確認してください。
Please check the contents of the contract.
A formal, somewhat literary term for an agreement or stipulation, often used in legal or financial contexts.
約定に従って支払いを行う。
Make payment in accordance with the contract.
The physical or digital document that contains the terms of an agreement.
The standard term for the contract document. Often used with verbs like 交わす (かわす, to exchange) or 取り交わす (とりかわす, to exchange formally).
契約書を2部作成した。
We prepared two copies of the contract.
契約書を取り交わす。
To exchange contracts.
The action of entering into a contract or making a formal agreement.
The most common way to say "to conclude a contract" or "to enter into a contract."
来月、新しい取引先と契約を結ぶ予定です。
We plan to sign a contract with a new client next month.
A straightforward verb meaning "to contract" or "to make a contract." Slightly more formal than 契約を結ぶ.
その会社と正式に契約した。
We officially contracted with that company.
Literally "to exchange contracts," implying a mutual, formal agreement. Often used for signing ceremonies.
両社は契約を交わした。
The two companies exchanged contracts.
To become reduced in size, volume, or extent.
Intransitive verb meaning "to shrink," "to contract," or "to get smaller." Used for physical objects, materials, or abstract things like distance.
このセーターは洗ったら縮んだ。
This sweater shrank in the wash.
寒さで金属が縮む。
Metal contracts in the cold.
Intransitive verb also meaning "to shrink" or "to contract," often used for length, distance, or lifespan.
A technical or formal term for contraction, often used in science, medicine, or engineering.
筋肉が収縮する。
Muscles contract.
To become infected with an illness.
The most natural way to say "to contract a disease." Insert the disease name before に.
彼は肺炎にかかった。
He contracted pneumonia.
インフルエンザにかからないように気をつけて。
Be careful not to catch the flu.
A more formal or medical term meaning "to develop symptoms of a disease" or "to come down with."
患者は合併症を発症した。
The patient developed complications.
契約 (けいやく) refers to the abstract agreement or the act of contracting, while 契約書 (けいやくしょ) specifically means the written document. Use 契約書 when talking about signing, exchanging, or reviewing the physical paper.
The English verb "contract" has multiple meanings, but Japanese 契約 (けいやく) only covers legal agreements. For shrinking, use 縮む (ちぢむ) or 収縮する (しゅうしゅくする). For catching a disease, use ～にかかる or ～を発症する.
寿命が縮まる思いだった。
It felt like my life was shortened. (idiomatic: I was scared to death.)