盟約

• Reading: めいやく
• Romaji: meiyaku
• Kanji breakdown: 盟 (mei) — alliance, oath, pledge; 約 (yaku/tsuru) — promise, bind, approximately
• Pronunciation: /meː.ja.kɯ/

Meaning

Oath; pledge; alliance; covenant. A solemn binding agreement or commitment between parties, often between nations or organisations, carrying strong moral or legal force.

More formal and weighty than 約束 (promise) or 協定 (agreement), implying a sacred or inviolable commitment. Used in the contexts of military alliances, political coalitions, and historical treaties. The term conveys the idea that breaking the agreement would be a grave moral transgression, making it common in rhetoric about loyalty, betrayal, and international solidarity.

Examples

1. 両国は戦後の盟約に基づき、有事の際には相互に軍事支援を行う義務を負っている。 Based on their postwar alliance, the two countries are obligated to provide mutual military support in the event of a crisis.
2. 党内の盟約を破って反対票を投じた議員は、直ちに離党を求められた。 The legislator who broke the party's pledge and cast a dissenting vote was immediately asked to leave the party.
3. 創立メンバーたちは組合の理念を守るという盟約を交わし、団結して闘争に臨んだ。 The founding members entered into a covenant to uphold the union's principles and stood united in the struggle.

Usage Guide

Context: diplomacy, alliances, politics, history, rhetoric

Tone: solemn

Origin & History

Formed from 盟 (mei, alliance/oath — originally depicting a blood oath ritual over a sacrificial vessel) and 約 (yaku, promise/binding). A classical Sino-Japanese compound with origins in ancient Chinese records of interstate covenants.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical–Contemporary

Generation: Adults

Social background: General