约 (yuē) - To arrange, make an appointment & agreement, pact

约Tone 1

yuē ｜ 6 strokes ｜ radical: 纟

喻悦

约 · yuē

To arrange, make an appointment;

agreement, pact;

approximately, about;

frugal, economical;

to restrict, bind.

To arrange, make an appointmentagreement, pactapproximately, about

Usage highlights

AppointmentAgreementApproximatelyTreatyTo inviteSimple and frugal

Synonyms

  • 订— to book, subscribe
  • 契— contract, deed
  • 束— to bind, restrain

Antonyms

  • 违— to violate, disobey
  • 奢— extravagant, wasteful

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • Let's meet tomorrow (约明天见).
  • Approximately ten people (约十个人).
  • We made an agreement (我们订了约).
  • He lives a frugal life (他生活简约).

Collocations

  • Appointment(约会)
  • Agreement(约定)
  • Approximately(大约)
  • Treaty(条约)
  • To invite(约请)
  • Simple and frugal(简约)

Idioms

  • By mutual agreement(不约而同)
  • Bound by convention(约定俗成)
  • Simple and unadorned(勤俭节约)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Chinese culture, keeping appointments (守约) is highly valued as a sign of integrity.
  • The character embodies concepts of social order through mutual agreements and restraint.
  • Used in both formal contexts (treaties) and everyday life (meeting friends).

FAQ