契約|けいやくkeiyaku[0]heiban (flat)
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Definitions
- noun, suru verb, transitive verbcontract; compact; agreement
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 契約する（けいやくする） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 契約します（けいやくします） |
| Negative (nai) | 契約しない（けいやくしない） |
| polite (masen) | 契約しません（けいやくしません） |
| classical zu / nu | 契約せず・契約せぬ（けいやくせず・けいやくせぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 契約した（けいやくした） |
| polite (mashita) | 契約しました（けいやくしました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 契約しなかった（けいやくしなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 契約しませんでした（けいやくしませんでした） |
| Te form | 契約して（けいやくして） |
| Potential | 契約できる（けいやくできる） |
| Passive | 契約される（けいやくされる） |
| Causative | 契約させる（けいやくさせる） |
| Causative passive | 契約させられる（けいやくさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 契約すれば（けいやくすれば） |
| tara | 契約したら（けいやくしたら） |
| Volitional | 契約しよう（けいやくしよう） |
| polite (mashou) | 契約しましょう（けいやくしましょう） |
| Imperative | 契約しろ（けいやくしろ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym取り決めとりきめNeutralRefers to the specific terms parties have worked out, as in 「取り決めを守る」; unlike 「契約」 it need not be legally binding.
- Synonym約定やくじょうWrittenWritten term for agreed stipulations, as in 「約定日」; mostly seen in financial transactions rather than everyday contracts.
- Synonym約束やくそくNeutralThe broadest word for promises and arrangements, as in 「約束を守る」; unlike 「契約」, it is not necessarily legally binding.
- Synonym申し合わせもうしあわせNeutralAn understanding reached by several parties through discussion, as in 「委員会の申し合わせ」; stresses internal consensus, not a formal contract.
- Synonym協定きょうていFormalFormal term for agreements between organizations or states, as in 「貿易協定」; a pact negotiated between bodies rather than an individual's everyday contract.
- Synonym協約きょうやくFormalFormal term for agreements concluded between organizations, as in 「労働協約」; narrower and more formal than 「契約」.
- Synonym盟約めいやくFormalFormal term for a pledge made in forming an alliance, as in 「盟約を結ぶ」; sworn and solemn, not everyday contracting.
- Synonym締結ていけつFormalFormal term for concluding contracts, treaties or pacts, as in 「契約を締結する」; stresses the act of entering into them.
- SynonymアグリーメントNeutralLoanword for agreement, mostly in business settings; in everyday speech 「合意」 or 「協定」 is more natural.
- SynonymコントラクトNeutralLoanword for contract, mostly in business settings; in everyday speech 「契約」 is the normal word.
- Related合意ごういNeutralReaching agreement of opinions, as in 「合意に至る」; it is the prerequisite for signing a contract, not the contract itself.
- Related誓約せいやくFormalFormal term for a sworn pledge, as in 「誓約書」; it has the nature of an oath, unlike an ordinary contract.
- Related契りちぎりWrittenA written, literary word for vows or a bond between lovers; archaic and poetic, never used for modern contracts.
- Related取り結ぶとりむすぶNeutralA verb for concluding a promise or contract, or acting as a go-between, as in 「縁を取り結ぶ」; covers the act, not the document.
- Related議定ぎていFormalFormal term for matters decided by conference, as in 「議定書」; used for official deliberations, not ordinary contracts.
- Antonym解約かいやくNeutralThe opposite of 「契約」: cancelling a contract, as in 「保険を解約する」.
- Antonym破棄はきWrittenWritten term for tearing up or voiding, as in 「契約を破棄する」; the opposite of making a contract.
For legally binding contracts, 「契約」 is the default. Use 「約束」 for everyday promises, 「取り決め」 for arrangements worked out between parties, 「合意」 for reaching consensus, 「協定」 for pacts between organizations or states, and 「締結」 when speaking of concluding one. The loanwords 「アグリーメント」 and 「コントラクト」 appear in business; in daily speech prefer 「合意」/「協定」 and 「契約」. To cancel is 「解約」; to tear up or annul, 「破棄」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
