How to say "oath" in Japanese

• 誓いちかいCommon
  nounCovers a personal oath or vow, such as a promise made to oneself or a loved one. The most general and everyday choice for the sense of 'oath' as a heartfelt commitment.
• 誓約せいやくCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbCovers an oath or pledge in the sense of a binding promise or undertaking, often with contractual overtones. Suited to commitments made toward an organization or party rather than casual personal vows.
  結婚けっこん生活せいかつがうまく行いっていない方ほうは結婚式けっこんしきの時ときにおごそかに神かみの前まえに誓ちかった、夫婦ふうふの誓約せいやくを思い出おもいだしてみましょう。↗

  And to the people whose married life is not going well, let's remember the marriage covenant sworn solemnly before God at the wedding ceremony.
• 宣誓せんせいCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbCovers a formal, spoken oath, as when swearing before a court, public office, or ceremony. Use this for the act of taking or administering an official oath rather than a private vow.
  彼かれは市長しちょうに宣誓せんせい就任しゅうにんした。↗

  He was sworn in as mayor.
• 盟約めいやくCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbCovers an oath or covenant between parties, but it is a formal or literary term, so it is seldom the word you want in everyday speech; it really suits elevated writing or solemn pacts.
  彼かれらは盟約めいやくしているかのように一致いっちして行動こうどうした。↗

  They acted together as if by compact.

Use 「誓い」 for a personal oath or vow, 宣誓 for a formal spoken oath, 誓約 for a binding pledge or written promise, and 盟約 for a formal or literary pact between parties.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 誓いちかいoath
• 誓約せいやくoath
• 宣誓せんせいoath
• 盟約めいやくoath
• 誓言せいげんoath
• 祈誓きせいvow
• 誓詞せいしvow
• 宣誓書せんせいしょ(written) oath