Promise meanings in Japanese

約束 (やくそく)

Example:

I promise to help you tomorrow.

明日、手伝うと約束します。

She broke her promise to call me.

彼女は私に電話すると約束したのを破った。

Usage: Formal/InformalContext: Used in both formal and informal settings to refer to an agreement or commitment.

Note: 約束 is a noun, but can also be used as a verb in a different form (約束する).

約束する (やくそくする)

Example:

I will promise to finish the project on time.

プロジェクトを期限内に終わらせると約束します。

He promised to take me to the concert.

彼はコンサートに連れて行くと約束した。

Usage: Formal/InformalContext: Commonly used to express the act of making a promise.

Note: This is the verb form. The noun form is 約束.

約束事 (やくそくごと)

Example:

We have a promise to keep regarding the meeting.

会議に関する約束事があります。

It's important to honor these promises.

これらの約束事を守ることが重要です。

Usage: FormalContext: Used to refer to specific agreements or commitments.

Note: This term is more formal and is often used in legal or official contexts.

約束を守る (やくそくをまもる)

Example:

You must keep your promises.

約束を守らなければなりません。

He always keeps his promises.

彼はいつも約束を守る。

Usage: Formal/InformalContext: Used to emphasize the importance of fulfilling a promise.

Note: This phrase combines the noun 約束 with the verb 守る (to keep).

見込み (みこみ)

Example:

The project shows great promise.

そのプロジェクトは大きな見込みを示しています。

There is promise in his abilities.

彼の能力には見込みがあります。

Usage: Formal/InformalContext: Used to express potential or optimism about something.

Note: This meaning is more abstract and relates to the potential for success rather than a commitment.

pledge

To pledge means to make a solemn promise or agreement to do something.

Example: He pledged to support the charity with a monthly donation.

Note: Pledge often implies a formal or serious commitment, similar to a promise but with a stronger connotation of dedication or assurance.

commitment

A commitment is a promise or pledge to do something, often with a sense of dedication and obligation.

Example: She made a commitment to finish the project on time.

Note: Commitment can imply a more enduring or serious promise, often involving a longer-term obligation or responsibility.

vow

To vow is to make a solemn promise or pledge, especially in a formal or sacred context.

Example: They exchanged vows of eternal love during their wedding ceremony.

Note: Vow typically carries a sense of solemnity or sacredness, often associated with religious or significant life events.

assure

To assure means to promise or guarantee with confidence and certainty.

Example: I assure you that I will be there to help with the event.

Note: Assure focuses on providing confidence or certainty in a promise, often emphasizing the trustworthiness or reliability of the statement.

Keep a promise

To fulfill or honor a commitment made to someone.

Example: I always keep my promises to my friends.

Note: This phrase emphasizes the action of fulfilling a promise rather than just making one.

Break a promise

To fail to fulfill a commitment made to someone.

Example: He broke his promise to take her out for dinner.

Note: Contrary to the positive connotation of making a promise, breaking a promise carries a negative meaning of not following through on what was pledged.

Promise the moon

To make extravagant or unrealistic promises.

Example: He promised the moon during the election campaign, but failed to deliver on his pledges.

Note: This phrase highlights the exaggeration or impracticality of the promises made, often leading to disappointment when they are not kept.

Empty promise

A promise that is not intended to be kept or lacks sincerity.

Example: She made empty promises about helping with the project, but never showed up.

Note: Unlike a genuine promise, an empty promise is insincere and does not carry the intention of being fulfilled.

Promise the world

To make grand or unrealistic promises, often with little chance of being fulfilled.

Example: The company promised the world in their advertisement, but the product failed to meet expectations.

Note: Similar to 'promise the moon,' this phrase denotes making exaggerated commitments with little likelihood of being realized.

Promise ring

A ring given as a token of commitment or promise in a romantic relationship.

Example: He gave her a promise ring to symbolize their commitment to each other.

Note: This phrase involves a physical symbol, such as a ring, that represents a promise or commitment between individuals, particularly in a romantic context.

Pinkie promise

A gesture where two people interlock their pinkie fingers to signify a promise or agreement.

Example: They sealed their agreement with a pinkie promise, a gesture of trust between friends.

Note: This phrase refers to a specific gesture, the interlocking of pinkie fingers, commonly used among friends to make a sincere promise or agreement.

Cross my heart

A phrase used to emphasize the sincerity or truthfulness of a statement or promise, often accompanied by making a crossing motion over the heart.

Example: I'll be there at 8 pm, cross my heart.

Note: Different from a standard promise by adding a physical gesture for emphasis.

Pinky swear

A promise made by interlocking pinky fingers, often used between close friends or to solidify a particularly important vow.

Example: Pinky swear you won't tell anyone about this!

Note: Uses a physical action to symbolize the seriousness of the promise.

Scout's honor

A pledge of honesty or integrity, invoking the values associated with a Scout's honor code.

Example: I won't tell anyone what you said, scout's honor.

Note: Relies on the reputation of the Boy Scouts and their code of honor to reinforce the promise's sincerity.

Word of honor

An assertion of one's integrity or commitment to a promise, indicating a pledge to stand by one's word.

Example: I'll have your back, word of honor.

Note: Highlights the importance of the speaker's reputation and trustworthiness in making the promise.

Promise me the moon

An expression cautioning against making extravagant or unrealistic promises.

Example: I know you love me, but don't promise me the moon.

Note: References promising something beyond the tangible or feasible, akin to an exaggerated or unattainable vow.

Solemn vow

A formal, serious promise or vow made with great sincerity or gravity, often in a significant or public context.

Example: In front of all our friends, she made a solemn vow to always support him.

Note: Emphasizes the gravity and importance of the promise, typically in a ceremonial or serious setting.

Dealbreaker

A promise or commitment that, if broken, will result in serious consequences or the end of a relationship or agreement.

Example: If he doesn't keep his promise this time, it's a dealbreaker for our relationship.

Note: Focuses on the potential impact of breaking the promise, implying that it is a critical factor in a decision or relationship.

I always keep my promises.

She made a promise to her mother that she would study hard.

The company's success is based on their commitment to quality and keeping their word.

Promise - Verb (Verb) / Verb, base form (Verb, base form)

Lemma: promise

Conjugations

Noun, plural (Noun, plural): promises, promise

Noun, singular or mass (Noun, singular or mass): promise

Verb, past tense (Verb, past tense): promised

Verb, gerund or present participle (Verb, gerund or present participle): promising

Verb, 3rd person singular present (Verb, 3rd person singular present): promises

Verb, base form (Verb, base form): promise

Verb, non-3rd person singular present (Verb, non-3rd person singular present): promise

Syllables, Separation and Stress

promise Contains 2 syllables: prom • ise

Phonetic transcription: ˈprä-məs

prom ise , ˈprä məs (The red syllable is stressed)

The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000.

promise: ~ 2400 (Very common).

This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.

Promise