誓(ちか)い

ちかい
noun
vow, oath, pledge
communication
See also: 誓(ちか)う (verb form), 近(ちか)い (near)
1. vow, oath, pledge, promise
A solemn promise or commitment, often made with deep personal conviction or in a formal ceremonial context. Carries more weight and formality than a simple promise.
二人(ふたり)は愛(あい)の誓(ちか)いを立(た)てた。
The two made a vow of love.
新年(しんねん)の誓(ちか)いを心(こころ)に刻(きざ)んだ。
I engraved my New Year's pledge in my heart.
選手(せんしゅ)たちは正々堂々(せいせいどうどう)と戦(たたか)うことを誓(ちか)いの言葉(ことば)として述(の)べた。
The athletes declared their pledge to compete fairly and squarely.

Usage

誓(ちか)い is the noun form of 誓(ちか)う (to swear, to vow). It carries a solemn, weighty tone — stronger than 約束(やくそく) (promise). Common contexts include wedding vows, oaths of office, and personal resolutions. The phrase 誓(ちか)いの言葉(ことば) (words of pledge) is used at ceremonies. It is a homophone of 近(ちか)い (near), which has a completely different meaning.

Common collocations

Related Words

Synonym: 約束(やくそく) (promise (less solemn))
Compare: 指切(ゆびき)り (pinky swear)
general
Added 2026.2.28 10:56 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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