Japanese · Work & Business
契約
keiyaku
Contract / Agreement
Advancednoun
Definition
A legally binding agreement between parties. In Japanese business, verbal agreements and relationships are also considered very important.
Example
契約書にサインをお願いします。
Please sign the contract documents.
Etymology
The word '契約' (keiyaku) is a compound of '契' (kei), meaning 'to bind,' and '約' (yaku), meaning 'promise' or 'agreement.' It has been used in legal and formal contexts since the early modern period.
How & Where It’s Used
'契約' is primarily a formal term used in legal, business, and employment contexts, recognizable in both spoken and written forms. It has no significant regional variations in use.