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約
Promise, Approximately
JLPT N3
Interesting Fact
The kanji 約 is commonly used in two very different ways: 約束 (promise) and 約10分 (about 10 minutes). It can mean both 'agreement' and 'approximately.'
Memory Trick
Imagine SHAKING HANDS to make a PROMISE, then estimating you'll arrive in ABOUT ten minutes. Both ideas belong to 約.
Readings
Onyomi: ヤク (yaku)
Kunyomi:
Example Words
約束
やくそく (yakusoku)
Promise
約
やく (yaku)
About, Approximately
予約
よやく (yoyaku)
Reservation
契約
けいやく (keiyaku)
Contract
Example Sentence
友達と 約束が あります。
ともだちと やくそくが あります。
tomodachi to yakusoku ga arimasu
I have a promise with my friend.