约

約
yuē
#424 most
frequent character
appointment, agreement, arrange
verb
noun

Character breakdown

Source: Make Me a Hanzi.

约 pairs 纟 silk threads with 勺 sháo, whose sound is no longer plain. The silk points to tying or binding as the first sense. From that came limit, shorten, be frugal, approximate, contract, and appointment.

Drawn as: silk threads

约 as a component in other characters

sound2 characters
药哟

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Example Sentences

我们约好了见面。
wǒmen yuē hǎole jiànmiàn 。
We made an appointment to meet.
你可以和他约一个时间。
nǐ kěyǐ hé tā yuē yígè shíjiān 。
You can arrange a time with him.
他们有一个约定。
tāmen yǒu yígè yuēdìng 。
They have an agreement.

Same Characters, Different Readings

约yāo
to weigh in a balance or on a scale

Words with similar meanings

约定yuēdìng
agreement
More formal term referring specifically to an agreement, often used in legal or binding contexts.
安排ānpái
arrange
Similar in meaning, but can imply a more detailed or structured plan.

Words Starting With 约

约会yuē huì
"appointment; engagement; date
约束yuē shù
to restrict; to limit to; to constrain; restriction; constraint

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