条款

• Pinyin: tiáo kuǎn
• Hanzi breakdown: 条 = 夂 + 木 — strip, clause; 款 = 士 + 示 + 欠 — section, provision

Meaning

Clause; provision; terms (of a contract or agreement).

Refers to individual items or provisions within contracts, laws, treaties, or agreements. Essential legal and business terminology. Often seen in phrases like 合同条款 (contract terms) and 服务条款 (terms of service).

Examples

1. 签合同之前一定要仔细阅读每一项条款，避免日后纠纷。 Before signing a contract, make sure to carefully read every clause to avoid future disputes.
2. 这份保险的理赔条款写得很模糊，容易产生歧义。 The claims provisions in this insurance policy are written vaguely and could be ambiguous.
3. 我们对付款条款有异议，希望能够重新协商。 We have objections to the payment terms and hope to renegotiate.

Usage Guide

Context: legal, business, contracts

Tone: professional

Do Say

• 请仔细阅读条款。(Please read the terms carefully.)
• 根据合同条款。(According to the contract terms.)

Don't Say

• 口语中随意使用'条款' (In casual speech, 条款 sounds overly formal — use 规定 or 内容 instead)

Origin & History

条 means item or clause, 款 means section or provision — items and provisions.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal