How to say "vow" in Japanese

• 誓うちかうJLPT N2approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbThe verb: to vow, swear or take an oath. Use this when 'vow' is a verb, as when someone vows to do something or makes a solemn pledge to another.
  君きみは聖書せいしょに手てをのせて誓ちかうべきだ。↗

  You should swear on the Bible.
• 誓いちかいCommon
  nounThe noun for the vow or oath itself, the counterpart of the verb 誓う. It fits solemn personal promises, such as the vows exchanged at a wedding.
• 願がんCommon
  nounReligious usage: a prayer or wish, and in the 'vow' sense a sacred vow made before a Buddha or deity. It is not the ordinary word for a personal vow or promise.
• 誓約せいやくCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbA formal noun for a vow or pledge made as a binding commitment. It suits solemn written or official undertakings and extends to covenants, rather than casual promises.
  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.
• 固めかためCommon
  nounA marginal match for 'vow': really the noun from 固める 'to make firm,' it names a pledge that seals a bond, and it is seldom the word you want — 誓い is the usual choice.

Use 「誓う」 when 'vow' is a verb and 「誓い」 for the vow or oath itself; 誓約 suits formal, binding pledges; 願 is for religious vows and prayers; 「固め」 is marginal, a pledge that seals a bond.

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

• 誓うちかうto swear
• 誓いちかいoath
• 願がんprayer
• 誓約せいやくoath
• 契りちぎりpledge
• 祈誓きせいvow
• 起請きしょうvow
• 信約しんやくvow
• 誓詞せいしvow
• 契るちぎるto pledge
• 誓言せいげんoath
• 約束事やくそくごとpromise
• 誓願せいがん(religious) vow
• 固めかためpledge