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道Nihongo Path
誓

誓·vow, swear, pledge

On-yomi
せい
Kun-yomi
ちか.う

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
誓うちかうto swear, to vow
誓いちかいoath, vow
宣誓せんせいoath, formal pledge
誓約書せいやくしょwritten pledge

Example sentences

  1. 二人は永遠の愛を誓った。

    ふたりはえいえんのあいをちかった。

    The two of them vowed eternal love.

  2. 開会式で選手が宣誓を行った。

    かいかいしきでせんしゅがせんせいをおこなった。

    An athlete took the oath at the opening ceremony.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • 宣誓 is せんせい — the same sound as 先生, so listen to the context.
  • 誓約書 is せいやくしょ, using the on-reading せい.

Memory aid

Picture it

折 (to snap) over 言 (words): words sealed by snapping something in two — a vow you cannot take back.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 誓 mean?