약속
yaksok[ja̠ks͈o̞k̚]
The Korean word for appointment is 약속 (yaksok). Wiktionary also lists 예약 (yeyak).
Meaning: arrangement for a meeting, an engagement (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 약속 | yaksok | [ja̠ks͈o̞k̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 예약 | yeyak | [ˈje̞(ː)ja̠k̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
약속 refers to a social appointment or a general promise. To say that you have an appointment or plans, use the phrase 약속이 있다. If you need to cancel an appointment, you can use the phrase 약속이 취소되다.
What does it mean word for word?
약속 can mean both a social appointment and a literal promise.
Which one should you use?
There is a distinction between social and commercial appointments. Use 약속 for social appointments with friends or general promises. Use 예약 for commercial appointments, such as making a restaurant reservation or a doctor booking.
How do you pronounce it?
yaksok
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use 예약 when they mean a social meeting with a person. However, 예약 is strictly for booking services or places.
Did you know?
- When canceling a 약속, it is common to use the passive form 취소되다, which suggests the appointment 'became cancelled' rather than saying 'I cancelled it'.
- The word 약속 literally means 'to tie and bind'. It is composed of two characters that suggest the act of binding someone to a commitment or a treaty.
- Because 약속 means both 'promise' and 'appointment', breaking a social date is often phrased as 'breaking a promise', which carries more moral weight than 'canceling a plan'.
Examples in context
- 톰은 2시 30분에 약속이 있어.Tom has an appointment at 2:30.This sentence shows how to say that someone has an appointment using 약속.Tatoeba #8361492 by Eunhee, translation #1025439 by CK
- 약속 잡으려고 합니다.I want to make an appointment.
- 약 잡을까요?Shall we make an appointment?
- 약 잡았어.I have made the appointment.
- 약속이 취소되었습니다.The appointment has been canceled.
- 오늘 오후에 약속이 있어요.oneul ohu-e yaksogi isseoyo.I have an appointment this afternoon.
- 친구와 중요한 약속이 있어요.chinggu-wa jung-yo-han yaksogi isseoyo.I have an important appointment with a friend.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Minji and Dohyun are talking on the phone about their plans.
- 민지 Min-ji도현 씨, 오늘 저녁에 시간 있어요?Dohyun ssi, oneul jeonyeog-e sigan isseoyo?Dohyun, do you have time this evening?
- 도현 Do-hyeon미안해요, 민지 씨. 선약이 있어요.Mian-haeyo, Minji ssi. Seonyagi isseoyo.I'm sorry, Minji. I have a prior appointment.
- 민지 Min-ji그 약속이 몇 시예요?Geu yak-sogi myeot siyeyo?What time is that appointment?
- 도현 Do-hyeon저녁 일곱 시예요.Jeonyeok ilgop siyeyo.It is at seven in the evening.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “appointment” translations and entries 약속, 예약, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 약속, 예약, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
