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Last week we saw how the 約 in 約束 (yakusoku: promise, promise + to bind) can imply a binding contract. I don’t usually associate contracts with any sense of contracting, which is to say “shrinking.” But just as “contract” has these two meanings, so does 約, strangely enough.
“Contract” in English (and Latin) …
In fact, Halpern says that “shortening” is the original meaning of 約. When does 約 convey a sense of shrinking? I can think of no better example than this one:
括約筋 (katsuyakukin: sphincter)
to constrict + to shrink + muscleOh, come now. There are several sphincters in the body!
What’s With the Breakdown of 括?! …
Whereas 括約筋 conveys a drawing together, other 約 words are more about condensing something long:
要約 (yōyaku: summary, abridged statement)
important + to shrink
約言 (yakugen: contraction, summary) to shrink + speech
Two more 約 compounds have to do with restricting or regulating people’s rights:
制約 (seiyaku: restriction, limitation, condition)
rule + to contract
規約 (kiyaku: agreement, rules) rule + agreement
Sample Sentences About
Rules and Restrictions …
It turns out that 約 is something like an accordion, in that it not only contracts but also expands. (And “accordion” happens to contain “accord,” which brings us back to the idea of a contract!)
That is to say, 約 can convey all the expansive feelings involved in reaching out to others and making peace:
条約 (jōyaku: treaty, pact) law + promise
This word helps make “peace treaty”:
平和条約 (heiwa jōyaku: peace treaty)
peace (1st 2 chars.) + law + promiseThe first two kanji break down as peaceful + peace.
Of course, not all contracts with 約 are as magnanimous as peace treaties or as heartfelt as promises. Some are as mundane as dinner reservations!
予約 (yoyaku: reservation) in advance + promise
Here’s another type of everyday contract:
売約 (baiyaku: sales contract) to sell + promise
If someone buys an item, he or she may receive a deed of sale: 売約証書 (baiyaku shōsho: deed of sale, to sell + to promise + certificate + document). And if that person doesn’t take the object home immediately, the seller will put a “Sold” sign on it: 売約済み (baiyakuzumi: to sell + to promise + to be settled).
Other Contracts and Back-Room Deals …
No discussion of contracts would be complete without two terms that have great internal rhymes:
約諾 (yakudaku: promise, commitment) promise + consent
確約 (kakuyaku: definite promise) certain + promise
With this set of words, you can say such things as this:
この約諾は確約ですよ。
Kono yakudaku wa kakuyaku desuyo.
This promise is definite.
Well, according to the unwritten rules of my contract with you, it’s time for your Verbal Logic Quiz!
