約 (Kanji for promise/ roughly speaking)

JERK； When used in a jukugo, it means "promise", but when used as a SUFFIX、it means "roughly speaking" . . . . although suffixes are always part of a jukugo, aren't they? So it is hard to tell the difference.

Onyomi

YAKU

Mnemonic

I promise to keep the YAK on the string, and not let it run away like last time.

Kunyomi

やく ( XXX に or で )

roughly speaking. Ish. 約9yards。約3 days。 PRE
★★★★★

Jukugo

約束(やくそく)	promise ★★★★★ 約 (promise/ roughly speaking) + 束 (bundle of sticks) = 約束 (promise)
予約(よやく)	reservation ★★★★☆ 予 (beforehand) + 約 (promise/ roughly speaking) = 予約 (reservation) reservation, appointment
婚約(こんやく)	marriage engagement ★★☆☆☆ 婚 (marriage) + 約 (promise/ roughly speaking) = 婚約 (marriage engagement)
条約(じょうやく)	a treaty or pact ☆☆☆☆☆ 条 (clause) + 約 (promise/ roughly speaking) = 条約 (a treaty or pact)

Lookalikes

	Meaning	Hint	Radical
約	promise/ roughly speaking	STRING	糸
的	motivation / '-al'	WHITE	白

Tie a STRING round your finger to remember this promise:

The motivation of the Revolution is to get WHITEY.

約 promise/ roughly speaking

Onyomi

Mnemonic

Kunyomi

Jukugo

Lookalikes

Synonyms