Meaning and Usage
The Korean word '약속' (yaksok) primarily means 'a promise' or 'an appointment.' It is commonly used to refer to agreements between people, whether formal or informal, such as meeting plans or commitments.
Common Contexts
'약속' is frequently used in daily conversation when arranging meetings or emphasizing the importance of keeping one's word. It can refer to both social and professional commitments.
Collocations and Patterns
- 약속을 하다: to make a promise or appointment
- 약속을 지키다: to keep a promise
- 약속 시간이 있다: to have an appointment time
- 약속을 어기다: to break a promise
These collocations help express different nuances related to promises and appointments.
Register and Politeness
'약속' is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The politeness level depends on the verbs and sentence endings used with it.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse '약속' with '계약' (contract). '약속' is more general and can be informal, while '계약' refers to formal legal contracts. Use '약속' for everyday promises and meetings.