約束
yakusoku[ja̠kɯ̟̊so̞kɯ̟]
The English phrase 'promise' is translated to Japanese as 約束 (yakusoku).
While 約束 means a vow, it is frequently used in Japanese to mean a social appointment or an engagement with someone.
Meaning: vow (noun)
Which one should you use?
In English, there is a distinction between a 'promise' (a vow) and an 'appointment' (a scheduled meeting), but Japanese often uses 約束 to cover both meanings.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun 約束 can be used alone or with particles to function as a noun in a sentence. You can turn the noun into the verb 'to promise' by adding the verb する to it, resulting in 約束する. To express specific actions regarding a promise, you can use the phrases 約束を守る (to keep a promise) or 約束を破る (to break a promise).
How do you pronounce it?
yakusoku
Did you know?
- To describe a 'pinky swear', Japanese people use the term 指切りげんまん which literally includes the word 'genman', meaning a penalty or a 'penalty of the finger'.
- In Japanese, you can 'break' a promise using the verb 破る, which is the same word used for tearing paper or ripping fabric.
- While 約束 covers appointments, the term 予約 specifically refers to reservations for services like hotels or restaurants. Using 約束 to book a table would sound like you are making a personal vow to the restaurant staff.
Examples in context
- 約束するよ。I promise.This sentence is useful for expressing the verb form of 約束.Tatoeba #5176 by bunbuku, translation #2111800 by CK
- 約束は約束。A promise is a promise.This sentence illustrates the phrase using 約束.Tatoeba #79531 by small_snow, translation #324187 by CK
- 約束、守れる？Will you keep your promise?This sentence is useful for practicing the noun form of 約束.Tatoeba #5748773 by daifons, translation #5748476 by Firesoul7
- 私は必ず約束を守ります。I will definitely keep my promise.
- もう一度確認した上で、約束いたします。I will promise after confirming once more.
- 146 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yui and Kenta are talking about a pact they made long ago.
- 結衣 Yuiあの時の約束、覚えてる？Ano toki no yakusoku, oboeteru?Do you remember the promise from that time?
- 健太 Kentaもちろん、ずっと忘れていないよ。Mochiron, zutto wasurete inai yo.Of course, I haven't forgotten it at all.
- 結衣 Yui健太なら守ってくれると思ってた。Kenta nara mamotte kureru to omotteta.I thought you would keep it, Kenta.
- 健太 Kentaああ、絶対に守るよ。Aa, zettai ni mamoru yo.Yeah, I will definitely keep it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “promise” translations and entries 約束, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
