Chinese word

誓言

Pronunciation

Pinyinshì yán

Meaning

  • nounvow

Example

他们互相交换了誓言。tā men hù xiāng jiāo huàn le shì yán

They exchanged vows.

Illustration for 誓言 (vow)

More examples

新任官员在就职仪式上宣读了誓言。xīn rèn guān yuán zài jiù zhí yí shì shàng xuān dú le shì yán

The newly appointed official read the oath aloud at the inauguration ceremony.

Core concept

Solemn words that publicly mark a person's commitment.

Common phrases

  • 交换誓言jiāo huàn shì yán

    exchange vows

  • 遵守誓言zūn shǒu shì yán

    keep one's vow

  • 违背誓言wéi bèi shì yán

    break one's vow

Similar words

诺言nuò yán: The content of a promise given in ordinary conversation.
承诺chéng nuò: A stated assurance that a person will do something.
誓约shì yuē: A formal pledge recorded or exchanged in official writing.
誓词shì cí: Words prescribed for reading aloud at a ceremony or during an oath.

Definition in Chinese

以庄重的语言表示做出承诺或保证的话语，常在仪式或正式场合当众说出。yǐ zhuāng zhòng de yǔ yán biǎo shì zuò chū chéng nuò huò bǎo zhèng de huà yǔ cháng zài yí shì huò zhèng shì chǎng hé dāng zhòng shuō chū

Word origin

In 誓言 (shìyán, "vow"), 誓 (shì, "to swear") names the solemn act and 言 (yán, "words") names its spoken expression.

Usage tips

  • A learner who uses this noun for a small favor or a casual plan can sound theatrical; its register fits weddings, public declarations, and other solemn events.

Other meanings

  • oathnoun
  • pledgenoun

Related words

Word lists with this word