約
promise, approximately, shrink
Readings
On'yomi
- ヤク
Kun'yomi
- つづ.まる
- つづ.める
- つづま.やか
Meaning
約 centers on binding or tightening something: a promise binds people, an approximate number is a tightened or simplified figure, and shrinking makes something tighter or smaller.
Most common words using 約
24 of 385- 約やくN3
approximately; about
- 契約けいやくN3
contract; compact; agreement
- 予約よやくN5
reservation; appointment; booking; advance order
- 約束やくそくN5
promise; agreement; arrangement; one's word; contract; pact
- 条約じょうやくN2
treaty; pact; convention; agreement
- 婚約こんやくN3
engagement; betrothal
- 節約せつやくN3
economising; saving
- 規約きやくN1
agreement; rules; code; protocol; convention; bylaw
- 制約せいやくN1
limitation; restriction; condition; constraints
- 解約かいやくN1
cancellation of a contract
- 集約しゅうやく
putting together (e.g. opinions); gathering; collecting; aggregating; summarizing; integrating
- 要約ようやくN2
summary; digest
- 公約こうやくN1
public commitment; public promise; campaign pledge; official vow
- 誓約せいやく
oath; vow; pledge; covenant
- 確約かくやく
firm promise; definite promise
- 旧約きゅうやく
old promise; old agreement; old covenant
- 特約とくやく
special contract; special agreement; rider (insurance)
- 密約みつやく
secret agreement
- 倹約けんやくN1
thrift; economy; frugality
- 盟約めいやく
oath; pledge; pact; covenant; alliance
- 約款やっかん
agreement; stipulation; article; clause
- 締約ていやく
conclusion of a treaty
- 成約せいやく
conclusion of a contract
- 婚約者こんやくしゃ
fiance; fiancee
Study
Etymology
約 combines 糸 (thread) with 勺, which likely contributes the sound and the idea of binding or wrapping. The original sense of tying with thread extends to abstract binding like promises and to making things compact.
Meaning mnemonic
Thread 糸 wrapped around a ladle 勺: imagine binding a ladle tightly with thread to keep it from moving. That binding is like a promise, and the tight wrapping shrinks the space around it.
Reading mnemonic
For ヤク, picture a yak making a promise by tying a thread around its horn: yak -> ヤク, and the thread binds the promise.