Translation guide
A formal, binding agreement or promise, often with religious or legal weight. In Japanese, the translation depends heavily on context: religious covenants, legal contracts, or solemn personal vows each use different words.
A sacred agreement between God and people, or a solemn religious pact.
The most common word for 'covenant' in religious contexts, especially in the Bible. It can also mean 'contract' in secular settings, but in religious texts it carries the weight of a divine promise.
神はアブラハムと契約を結んだ。
God made a covenant with Abraham.
Specifically means 'holy covenant' or 'sacred covenant'. Used in theological writings and some Bible translations to emphasize the sacred nature.
結婚は神の前での聖約です。
Marriage is a sacred covenant before God.
Means 'vow' or 'pledge'. Can be used for a covenant in the sense of a solemn promise, but less specifically religious than 聖約.
彼らは互いに誓約を交わした。
They exchanged a covenant (solemn vow) with each other.
An older, formal term for 'covenant' or 'alliance', often used in historical or literary contexts. Can imply a pact between groups.
古代の王たちは盟約を結んだ。
The ancient kings formed a covenant.
A binding agreement under law, such as a deed or contract clause.
The standard word for 'contract' or 'agreement' in legal and business contexts. It covers everything from simple contracts to formal covenants.
土地の売買契約に署名した。
I signed the covenant for the land sale.
Refers to 'clause' or 'covenant' in a contract, often used for specific terms and conditions.
Means 'special covenant' or 'special agreement', used for specific stipulations within a broader contract.
A deeply serious, often lifelong, personal commitment or vow.
The most natural word for a personal vow or oath. It implies a solemn promise, often made publicly or to oneself.
彼は妻に永遠の愛を誓った。
He made a covenant of eternal love to his wife.
A more formal version of 誓い, often used in written pledges or official vows.
A poetic or literary term for a deep, often romantic or spiritual bond. It can mean 'pledge' or 'covenant' in the sense of a fateful promise.
契約 (keiyaku) is the general term for contract or covenant, used in both religious and secular contexts. 誓約 (seiyaku) emphasizes the vow or oath aspect, often personal or moral. 盟約 (meiyaku) is a formal alliance or pact, often historical or between groups. For Biblical covenants, 契約 is most common, but 聖約 (seiyaku) explicitly marks it as sacred.
In everyday English, 'covenant' is rare and sounds archaic or legal. In Japanese, using 契約 for a casual promise sounds overly formal. Use 約束 (yakusoku) for ordinary promises, and reserve covenant words for solemn, binding agreements.
彼らは契約書に署名した。
They signed the covenant.
契約書 (keiyakusho) means 'contract document', which is more natural than just 契約 when referring to the physical signing.
神とイスラエルの間の契約。
The covenant between God and Israel.
この契約の約款には制限が含まれている。
The covenants in this contract include restrictions.
賃貸契約にペット禁止の特約がある。
There is a special covenant prohibiting pets in the lease.
彼らは禁酒の誓約をした。
They made a covenant to abstain from alcohol.
二人は永遠の契りを交わした。
The two exchanged an eternal covenant.