約

JLPT N3

Promise, approximately

Readings

On’yomi: ヤク (yaku)

Structure

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Detailed Explanation

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Mnemonic

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Etymology

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Visual Tip

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Vocabulary

約束

やくそく

promise

予約

よやく

reservation

約

やく

about

制約

せいやく

restriction

約一時間

やくいちじかん

about one hour

Example Sentences

約束します。

やくそくします。

I promise.

ホテルを予約します。

ホテルをよやくします。

I reserve a hotel.

約三人です。

やくさんにんです。

About three people.

制約があります。

せいやくがあります。

There are restrictions.

約一時間かかります。

やくいちじかんかかります。

It takes about one hour.

Cultural Note

✅ 約 emphasizes promise, agreement, and approximation in Japanese culture.
• Frequently used in daily life for promises and reservations (約束, 予約).
• Appears in formal and professional contexts for summaries, contracts, and approximations (概約, 約).
• Reflects cultural importance of honoring agreements, punctuality, and clarity.