Meaning
promise; appointment; commitment; arrangement
Nuance & Usage
約束 covers both personal promises and scheduled appointments/plans. Common expressions: 約束をする (make a promise/appointment), 約束を守る (keep a promise), 約束を破る (break a promise), 約束がある (I have an appointment/plans). In Japanese culture, keeping 約束 is considered highly important — breaking a 約束 without notice is seen as a serious breach of trust. For formal business appointments, アポイントメント (apointomento) or アポ (apo) is increasingly common.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 約束 (a promise or arrangement between people) with 予定 (yotei — a scheduled plan/agenda, often solo). 約束がある = I have an appointment with someone. 予定がある = I have a plan (could be solo, like 「旅行の予定がある」). Also: 約束する (verb) = to promise/make an appointment; 約束を守る = to keep a promise. Don't translate "I promise" literally as 私は約束します — the more natural expression is 約束するよ or simply 約束。
Example Sentences
今日は友達との約束があるので、早めに出ます。
きょうはともだちとのやくそくがあるので、はやめにでます。
I have plans with a friend today, so I'll leave a bit early.
約束は必ず守らなければなりません。
やくそくはかならずまもらなければなりません。
You must always keep your promises.
約束の時間に遅れそうなので、先に連絡しました。
やくそくのじかんにおくれそうなので、さきにれんらくしました。
I contacted them in advance because I looked like I would be late for our appointment.
Quick Quiz
N44 questionsTest your knowledge of 約束 with 4 different question types.
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