How to say "promise" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 約束やくそくnoun, suru verb, transitive verbThe word for a promise in the commitment sense: an agreement between people to do or not do something, or one's word. Use it for making, keeping and breaking promises.
- 見込みみこみnounNot a promise between people: it covers 'promise' as likelihood or potential — the hope, possibility or chance that something will happen or succeed.
- 言質げんちnounA promise in the sense of a pledge: words given that one is then held to. Typical when you get a commitment out of someone or hold them to what they said.彼は言質をとられた。↗He got himself committed to it.
- 将来性しょうらいせいnounCovers 'promise' only as future potential: how promising a person or thing is, its prospects of developing well. It is not a word for a commitment made to someone.
- 行く末ゆくすえnounMeans one's future, fate or prospects — how a person's life or something's course turns out. Its 'promise' sense is marginal; for a promise between people this is not the word you want.
Choose 約束 for a promise made to someone and 言質 for a pledge you hold them to; when 'promise' means potential or likely success rather than a commitment, pick 「見込み」, 将来性 or 「行く末」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- 約束やくそくpromise
- 見込みみこみhope
- 言質げんちcommitment
- 将来性しょうらいせいfuture prospects
- 行く末ゆくすえone's future
- 契りちぎりpledge
- 約するやくするto promise
- プロミスpromise
- プロミスPromise (consumer loan firm)
- 約束事やくそくごとpromise
- お約束おやくそくpromise
- 伸びしろのびしろroom for growth
- 契るちぎるto pledge
- 言交わすいいかわすto have a chat with
- 信約しんやくvow
- 前景気まえげいきprospect
- 約諾やくだくagreement
- 約やくpromise
- 可能性かのうせいpotential
- 請け合ううけあうto assure
- 期すきすto resolve (to do)
- 因みちなみpledge (esp. for marriage)
- 証するしょうするto guarantee
- 証すしょうすto guarantee
- 期するきするto resolve (to do)
- 期すごすto resolve (to do)
- 見どころみどころ(signs of) promise
See also
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