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信約 (しんやく, shinyaku) Japanese meaning: vow | Kotomora

信しん約やく

Meanings

1

vow; promise; pledge

A formal or solemn promise, often implying a strong sense of trust or faith. Slightly literary or formal in tone.

彼かれは友ゆう人じんに信しん約やくを立たてた。
He made a vow to his friend.
信しん約やくを破やぶることは許ゆるされない。
Breaking a pledge is unforgivable.

Kanji

信faith, truth, fidelity
約promise, approximately, shrink

Related words

約やく束そく
約束 is the common, everyday word for 'promise' or 'appointment'. 信約 is more formal and emphasizes trust and faith, often used in literary or solemn contexts.
誓ちかい
誓い is a 'vow' or 'oath', often with a religious or deeply personal connotation. 信約 is less about swearing and more about a mutual promise based on trust.

Etymology

Compound of 信 (trust, faith) and 約 (promise, agreement). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the combination naturally conveys a promise founded on trust.