言質
also: げんしつ · げんしち
Meanings
1
verbal commitment; pledge; promise
Refers to a spoken promise or statement that binds the speaker, often used in contexts where one's words are taken as a guarantee. Common in phrases like 言質を取る (to get a commitment from someone).
I got a firm commitment from him.
I was careful not to give any verbal pledge.
Usage patterns
- 〈人〉に言質を与えるto give someone a verbal commitment (that can be held against you)
He was careful not to give the reporter anything he could be held to.
- 言質を握るto get hold of someone's words as leverage
We managed to get something on the negotiating partner that we could hold them to.
- 言質を取られるto have one's own words used against oneself
I let my guard down and ended up being held to my own words.
Expressions
- 言質を取るget a commitment; exact a promise; get someone's word