約束します
yakusoku shimasu
In Japanese, "I promise" is expressed as 約束します (yakusoku shimasu).
The phrase is used to provide a formal or sincere assurance that you will definitely perform a specific action.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
約束します is a formal way to say "I promise" and is suitable for use with superiors or in formal situations. For casual settings with friends or family, the dictionary form 約束する is used instead. You might also encounter the informal version 約束するよ.
How does it change in a sentence?
約束します is the polite form of the verb. To express the past tense "I promised", you can use the polite form 約束しました or the informal form 約束した.
How do you pronounce it?
yakusoku shimasu
Did you know?
- In Japan, children often seal a 約束 with a 'pinky swear' gesture called 指切りげんまん, which traditionally ended with a rhyme about swallowing a thousand needles if the promise was broken.
- The kanji for 'promise' 約束 consists of 約 meaning 'contract' and 束 meaning 'bundle' or 'tie', literally suggesting the act of tying two people together by a contract.
- While English speakers often promise to 'do' something, Japanese speakers often use the phrase 約束を守る (yakusoku o mamoru), which literally translates to 'to guard/protect the promise'.
Examples in context
- もうしないって約束します。I promise I'll stop now.This sentence is useful for practicing the use of 約束します to express a promise regarding an action.Tatoeba #10212618 by small_snow, translation #9199678 by DJ_Saidez
- 二度としないと約束します。I promise I'll never do it again.This sentence is useful for practicing the use of 約束します to express a promise regarding a repetitive action.Tatoeba #10825527 by small_snow, translation #1877182 by Spamster
- 7時には戻るって、約束します。I promise you I'll be back by seven.This sentence is useful for practicing the use of 約束します to express a promise regarding a specific time.Tatoeba #11871071 by small_snow, translation #10062409 by ddnktr
- はい、必ずやります。Yes, I will definitely do it.
- うん、約束するよ。Yeah, I promise.
- 絶対にやるから安心して。I will absolutely do it, so don't worry.
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kenta is apologizing to Yui for being late.
- 健太 Kenta本当にごめん。次は遅れないと約束します。Hontō ni gomen. Tsugi wa okurenai to yakusoku shimasu.I'm really sorry. I promise I won't be late next time.
- 結衣 Yuiいいよ。信じてるね。Ii yo. Shinjiteru ne.It's okay. I believe you.
- 健太 Kenta次は絶対に時間を守ると約束します。Tsugi wa zettai ni jikan o mamoru to yakusoku shimasu.I promise I will definitely be on time next time.
- 結衣 Yui分かったから、もういいよ。Wakatta kara, mō ii yo.I get it, so it's fine now.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
