Readings: ケイ (Onyomi), ちぎ-る (Kunyomi)
Meaning: contract, pledge, bond, promise, engage
The kanji 契 combines 㓞 (ketsu), meaning “to engrave” or “to carve notches,” and a modified form of 大 (dai/ō), perhaps as a phonetic component or a simplification. It originally depicted making a contract or agreement by carving marks onto a piece of wood or bamboo, which would then be split to prove authenticity, thus embodying the meaning of a “pledge” or “agreement.”
View JLPT N1 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The stroke order for 契 starts with the components on the left and top, followed by the radical on the right. Pay attention to the order of the horizontal and vertical strokes within each part.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 刀 |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 9 |
| JLPT Level | N1 |
| Grade | 8 |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- ケイ (KEI)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- ちぎ (chigi)
Common Words Using 契
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 契約 | けいやく | contract, agreement |
| 契機 | けいき | opportunity, chance, turning point |
| 契印 | けいいん | joint seal; seal impression spanning two pages or documents to prevent tampering |
| 契合 | けいごう | agreement, congruence (less common) |
| 特契 | とっけい | special contract (less common) |
| 契券 | けいけん | bond, debenture (less common) |
| 盟契 | めいけい | pledge, covenant (less common) |
| 信契 | しんけい | trust, faith (less common) |
| 婚契 | こんけい | marriage contract (less common) |
| 契状 | けいじょう | written contract, bond (archaic) |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 契る | ちぎる | to pledge, to vow, to make a promise |
| 契り | ちぎり | pledge, vow, bond, engagement |
| 契りを結ぶ | ちぎりをむすぶ | to exchange vows, to make a pledge/bond |
| 永遠の契り | えいえんのちぎり | eternal vow/bond |
| 夫婦の契り | ふうふのちぎり | marriage vow/bond |
| 固い契り | かたいちぎり | firm pledge/bond |
| 昔の契り | むかしのちぎり | old promise/bond |
| 契りを交わす | ちぎりをかわす | to exchange vows (similar to 結ぶ) |
| 契った仲 | ちぎったなか | a couple who have pledged their love; a bound relationship |
| 心契る | こころちぎる | to vow in one’s heart (literary/archaic) |
Example Sentences
Japanese: 契約書にサインをした。
Kana: けいやくしょにサインをした。
Romaji: Keiyakusho ni sain o shita.
English: I signed the contract.
Japanese: この出来事が、彼の人生の契機となった。
Kana: このできごとが、かれのじんせいのけいきとなった。
Romaji: Kono dekigoto ga, kare no jinsei no keiki to natta.
English: This event became a turning point in his life.
Japanese: 二人は永遠の愛を契った。
Kana: ふたりはえいえんのあいをちぎった。
Romaji: Futari wa eien no ai o chigitta.
English: The two pledged their eternal love.
Japanese: 固い契りを交わす。
Kana: かたいちぎりをかわす。
Romaji: Katai chigiri o kawasu.
English: To exchange a firm pledge.
Japanese: 会社との契約を更新した。
Kana: かいしゃとのけいやくをこうしんした。
Romaji: Kaisha to no keiyaku o kōshin shita.
English: I renewed my contract with the company.
Japanese: 新しい事業を始める良い契機だ。
Kana: あたらしいじぎょうをはじめるよいけいきだ。
Romaji: Atarashii jigyō o hajimeru yoi keiki da.
English: It’s a good opportunity to start a new business.
Japanese: 古き友との契りを大切にする。
Kana: ふるきともとのちぎりをたいせつにする。
Romaji: Furuki tomo to no chigiri o taisetsu ni suru.
English: I cherish the bond with my old friend.
Japanese: 彼らは夫婦の契りを結んだばかりだ。
Kana: かれらはふうふのちぎりをむすんだばかりだ。
Romaji: Karera wa fūfu no chigiri o musunda bakari da.
English: They just made their marriage vows.
Japanese: 重要な契約を締結する。
Kana: じゅうようなけいやくをていけつする。
Romaji: Jūyō na keiyaku o teiketsu suru.
English: To conclude an important contract.
Japanese: 過去の契りを忘れない。
Kana: かこのちぎりをわすれない。
Romaji: Kako no chigiri o wasurenai.
English: I won’t forget past promises.
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