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Kotomora

契

pledge, promise, vow

JLPTN1StatusJōyō · secondary schoolFrequencyTop 1,000Strokes9

Readings

On'yomi

  • ケイ

Kun'yomi

  • ちぎ.る

Meaning

契 centers on a binding commitment: a pledge, promise, or vow that creates a formal or emotional tie.

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Etymology

契 combines 㓞 (a component associated with cutting or carving) with 大 (big), suggesting a formal agreement or contract carved or marked prominently. The exact historical development is uncertain, but the idea of a binding pledge is well established.

Meaning mnemonic

The top 㓞 looks like a knife cutting a mark into something, and the bottom 大 emphasizes its importance. Picture carving a big promise into stone so it cannot be broken.

Reading mnemonic

For ケイ, imagine a solemn vow sealed with a handshake and the word 'OK' — 'K' from OK leads to ケイ, and the promise is set.