誓
vow, swear, pledge
Readings
On'yomi
- セイ
Kun'yomi
- ちか.う
Meaning
誓 centers on a formal, binding declaration: making a vow, swearing an oath, or giving a pledge. The idea is a spoken commitment that carries weight.
Most common words using 誓
20 of 36- 誓うちかうN2
to swear; to vow; to take an oath; to pledge
- 宣誓せんせい
oath; abjuration; pledge
- 誓約せいやく
oath; vow; pledge; covenant
- 誓願せいがん
(religious) vow
- 誓文せいもん
written oath
- 誓言せいげん
oath; vow; attestation; solemn pledge
- 誓ってちかって
surely; upon my word; by Jove
- 誓いちかい
oath; vow
- 誓約書せいやくしょ
written oath; covenant; pledge
- ヒポクラテスの誓いヒポクラテスのちかい
Hippocratic oath
- 五箇条の御誓文ごかじょうのごせいもん
Charter Oath (of the Meiji Emperor); Five-Point Imperial Covenant; Imperial Oath of Five Articles
- 修道誓願しゅうどうせいがん
vows of religious orders
- 偽り誓ういつわりちかう
to swear falsely
- 偽誓ぎせい
perjury; false oath
- 共同宣誓供述書きょうどうせんせいきょうじゅつしょ
joint affidavit
- 宣誓人せんせいじん
affiant (person who executes an affidavit)
- 宣誓供述書せんせいきょうじゅつしょ
affidavit
- 宣誓式せんせいしき
administration of an oath
- 宣誓書せんせいしょ
(written) oath
- 宣誓陳述書せんせいちんじゅつしょ
sworn statement
Study
Etymology
誓 combines 折 (break, bend) and 言 (words), suggesting words that are firm or unbreakable, i.e., a vow. The exact historical development of the 折 component is uncertain, but the combination is well established.
Meaning mnemonic
The top part 折 looks like an axe (斤) cutting something, and the bottom 言 is words. Imagine cutting words into stone to make an unbreakable vow.
Reading mnemonic
For セイ, picture a solemn ceremony where you say your vow: 'say' -> セイ, and your words become a binding pledge.