Meaning
Promise, Approximately, Contract, Reduce — used to indicate approximation like “about” or “around.”
- 約束 — promise
- 契約 — contract, agreement
- 予約 — reservation, booking
- 約〜人 — approximately (~ people)
- 簡約 — simplification
The kanji 約 combines the radical 糸 (thread) with the phonetic component 勺 (しゃく), which gives the sound "やく". Originally associated with binding or tying, it evolved to mean “to promise,” “to reduce,” or “approximately” — concepts related to shortening, restricting, or defining.
明日、約束があります。
I have a promise (or an appointment) tomorrow.
約 30人が 参加しました。
About 30 people participated.
契約を結びました。
We signed a contract.
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