誓 (shì) - To vow & to swear
誓 · shì
To vow;
to swear;
to pledge;
an oath;
a solemn promise.
To vowto swearto pledge
Usage highlights
To swear an oathSolemn vowTo pledge allegianceOath of officeTo vow revengeTo pledge one's life
Usage & contexts
Examples
- He made a vow to succeed (发誓).
- They took a marriage oath (结婚誓言).
- The soldiers swore allegiance (宣誓效忠).
- Breaking an oath is dishonorable (违背誓言).
Collocations
- To swear an oath(发誓)
- Solemn vow(誓言)
- To pledge allegiance(宣誓)
- Oath of office(就职宣誓)
- To vow revenge(誓死报仇)
- To pledge one's life(誓死)
Idioms
- Sworn enemies(誓不两立)
- To vow to the death(誓死不屈)
- To swear by the sun(指天誓日)
- To take a blood oath(歃血为誓)
- To swear never to return(誓不还乡)
Cultural background
FAQ- In ancient China, oaths were considered sacred and binding, often made before heaven or ancestors.
- Military and official oaths (宣誓) have long been important in Chinese bureaucratic and martial traditions.
- The character combines 'speech' (言) and 'fold' (折), suggesting binding words or folded commitment in speech.