承诺

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承诺 [2025/08/10 10:36] – created xiaoer承诺 [Unknown date] (current) – removed - external edit (Unknown date) 127.0.0.1
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-====== chéngnuò: 承诺 - Promise, Commitment ====== +
-===== Quick Summary ===== +
-  * **Keywords:** promise in Chinese, commitment in Chinese, chengnuo meaning, how to say promise in Mandarin, make a promise Chinese, keep a promise Chinese, 承诺, Chinese word for commitment, promise vs guarantee in Chinese +
-  * **Summary:** Learn the meaning and cultural weight of **承诺 (chéngnuò)**, the Chinese word for a serious promise or commitment. This guide explores its character breakdown, practical usage in business and personal life, and how it differs from a casual English "promise," providing essential context for any Mandarin learner. +
-===== Core Meaning ===== +
-  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** chéngnuò +
-  * **Part of Speech:** Verb / Noun +
-  * **HSK Level:** HSK 5 +
-  * **Concise Definition:** To make a promise or commitment; a promise or commitment that has been made. +
-  * **In a Nutshell:** **承诺 (chéngnuò)** is a formal and weighty word. It's not just a casual "I promise," but a solemn declaration that you are undertaking a responsibility. Think of it as a pledge or a binding commitment where your reputation is on the line. It implies a deep sense of duty and the expectation that the promise will be fulfilled. +
-===== Character Breakdown ===== +
-  * **承 (chéng):** This character's original meaning relates to receiving something with both hands. It has evolved to mean "to bear," "to undertake," or "to receive a responsibility." Imagine physically taking on a burden or a duty. +
-  * **诺 (nuò):** This character is composed of the "speech" radical (言) on the left and "like" or "as if" (若) on the right. It signifies a verbal agreement or consent—to say "yes" to something. +
-  * When combined, **承诺 (chéngnuò)** literally means "to bear a promise" or "to undertake a verbal agreement." This fusion creates a word that is much stronger than a simple agreement; it's about accepting the full weight and responsibility of the words you have spoken. +
-===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== +
-In Chinese culture, a **承诺 (chéngnuò)** is a cornerstone of trust (信任 xìnrèn) and personal integrity. The act of making a `承诺` is taken very seriously, reflecting the cultural value placed on one's word and reputation. The famous idiom **一诺千金 (yī nuò qiān jīn)**, meaning "a single promise is worth a thousand pieces of gold," perfectly captures this sentiment. +
-This contrasts with the often more casual use of "promise" in Western, particularly American, culture. One might say, "I promise I'll call you later" without it being a solemn vow. To use `承诺` in such a casual context in Chinese would sound overly dramatic and even strange. A `承诺` is typically reserved for significant matters—in business, relationships, or public life—where breaking it would lead to a serious loss of face (面子 miànzi) and damage to the relationship. It's a verbal contract backed by one's honor. +
-===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== +
-`承诺` is a relatively formal word used in specific contexts where a high degree of seriousness is intended. +
-  * **In Business and Formal Settings:** This is a very common context. Companies make `承诺` to their customers about quality or service. Business partners make `承诺` to each other during negotiations. +
-    * e.g., "Our company's commitment to quality." (我们公司对质量的**承诺**。) +
-  * **In Personal Relationships:** It is used for significant, life-altering promises between family, partners, or very close friends. It's the word you would use for a marriage vow or a promise to care for your parents in their old age. +
-    * e.g., "His promise to her was for a lifetime." (他对她的**承诺**是一辈子的。) +
-  * **In Public or Political Speech:** Government officials and public figures will make a `承诺` to the people, signifying a formal pledge to take action on a certain issue. +
-It is generally not used for trivial, everyday agreements. For that, you would use [[答应]] (dāying). +
-===== Example Sentences ===== +
-  * **Example 1:**  +
-    * 他对客户做出了一个重要的**承诺**。 +
-    * Pinyin: Tā duì kèhù zuòchūle yí ge zhòngyào de **chéngnuò**. +
-    * English: He made an important promise to the client. +
-    * Analysis: This is a classic business context. `做出了一个承诺 (zuòchūle yí ge chéngnuò)` is a common collocation meaning "made a promise." +
-  * **Example 2:**  +
-    * 我**承诺**，我一定会完成这个项目。 +
-    * Pinyin: Wǒ **chéngnuò**, wǒ yídìng huì wánchéng zhège xiàngmù. +
-    * English: I promise that I will definitely finish this project. +
-    * Analysis: Here, `承诺` is used as a verb to introduce a solemn pledge. The inclusion of `一定 (yídìng)` reinforces the certainty. +
-  * **Example 3:**  +
-    * 这是一个沉重的**承诺**，你确定你能做到吗？ +
-    * Pinyin: Zhè shì yí ge chénzhòng de **chéngnuò**, nǐ quèdìng nǐ néng zuòdào ma? +
-    * English: This is a heavy commitment. Are you sure you can fulfill it? +
-    * Analysis: The adjective `沉重 (chénzhòng - heavy)` is often used to modify `承诺`, highlighting its significant weight and responsibility. +
-  * **Example 4:**  +
-    * 作为一个男人，必须信守自己的**承诺**。 +
-    * Pinyin: Zuòwéi yí ge nánrén, bìxū xìnshǒu zìjǐ de **chéngnuò**. +
-    * English: As a man, you must keep your promises. +
-    * Analysis: `信守承诺 (xìnshǒu chéngnuò)` is a set phrase meaning "to keep/honor a promise." This sentence reflects the cultural connection between keeping promises and one's honor. +
-  * **Example 5:**  +
-    * 政府**承诺**要解决失业问题。 +
-    * Pinyin: Zhèngfǔ **chéngnuò** yào jiějué shīyè wèntí. +
-    * English: The government promised to solve the unemployment problem. +
-    * Analysis: This shows the formal use of `承诺` in a political or public context. It implies a formal pledge to the nation. +
-  * **Example 6:**  +
-    * 你不能轻易许下**承诺**，因为违背**承诺**会伤害别人。 +
-    * Pinyin: Nǐ bùnéng qīngyì xǔxià **chéngnuò**, yīnwèi wéibèi **chéngnuò** huì shānghài biérén. +
-    * English: You can't make promises lightly, because breaking a promise will hurt others. +
-    * Analysis: This sentence uses two key collocations: `许下承诺 (xǔxià chéngnuò)` meaning "to make a promise" and `违背承诺 (wéibèi chéngnuò)` meaning "to go against/break a promise." +
-  * **Example 7:**  +
-    * 婚姻是两个人对彼此一生的**承诺**。 +
-    * Pinyin: Hūnyīn shì liǎng ge rén duì bǐcǐ yìshēng de **chéngnuò**. +
-    * English: Marriage is a lifelong commitment between two people to each other. +
-    * Analysis: This is the perfect word to describe the vows and commitments central to marriage. `一生 (yìshēng)` means "an entire life." +
-  * **Example 8:**  +
-    * 我不需要你的**承诺**，我需要你的行动。 +
-    * Pinyin: Wǒ bù xūyào nǐ de **chéngnuò**, wǒ xūyào nǐ de xíngdòng. +
-    * English: I don't need your promise, I need your action. +
-    * Analysis: This sentence shows a context where words (`承诺`) are contrasted with deeds (`行动 xíngdòng`), a common theme in any culture. +
-  * **Example 9:**  +
-    * 公司未能履行其**承诺**，导致客户非常不满。 +
-    * Pinyin: Gōngsī wèi néng lǚxíng qí **chéngnuò**, dǎozhì kèhù fēicháng bùmǎn. +
-    * English: The company failed to fulfill its commitment, causing the clients to be very dissatisfied. +
-    * Analysis: `履行承诺 (lǚxíng chéngnuò)` is another formal way to say "to fulfill/carry out a promise," often used in legal or business contexts. +
-  * **Example 10:**  +
-    * 他给了我一个坚定的**承诺**，让我感到很安心。 +
-    * Pinyin: Tā gěi le wǒ yí ge jiāndìng de **chéngnuò**, ràng wǒ gǎndào hěn ānxīn. +
-    * English: He gave me a firm promise, which made me feel very reassured. +
-    * Analysis: The adjective `坚定 (jiāndìng - firm, steady)` reinforces the strength and reliability of the promise. +
-===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== +
-The most common mistake for English speakers is using **承诺 (chéngnuò)** for casual, everyday promises. It is a "false friend" with the English word "promise" in this regard. +
-  *   **`承诺 (chéngnuò)` vs. `答应 (dāying)`:** +
-    *   **承诺 (chéngnuò):** A formal, serious commitment or pledge. It implies a sense of duty and responsibility. Use it for important matters. +
-    *   **答应 (dāying):** To agree to do something, to say "yes." It's much more common and casual. It's the correct word for everyday situations. +
-  *   **Incorrect Usage:** +
-    * `我承诺我明天会给你打电话。` (Wǒ chéngnuò wǒ míngtiān huì gěi nǐ dǎ diànhuà.) +
-    * **Why it's wrong:** This sounds overly dramatic and formal, as if calling tomorrow is a life-or-death matter. You are elevating a simple plan to a solemn vow. +
-  *   **Correct Usage:** +
-    * `我答应你，明天给你打电话。` (Wǒ dāying nǐ, míngtiān gěi nǐ dǎ diànhuà.) +
-    * `放心吧，我明天会给你打电话。` (Fàngxīn ba, wǒ míngtiān huì gěi nǐ dǎ diànhuà.) - "Don't worry, I'll call you tomorrow." +
-Essentially, before using `承诺`, ask yourself: "Is this a serious commitment where my honor or reputation is at stake?" If the answer is no, you probably want to use `答应` or another phrase instead. +
-===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== +
-  *   [[答应]] (dāying) - To agree, to consent. The more common and casual equivalent of "to promise." +
-  *   [[保证]] (bǎozhèng) - To guarantee, to assure. Stronger than `答应`, it often implies a guarantee against something negative happening. +
-  *   [[誓言]] (shìyán) - An oath, a vow. Even more formal and solemn than `承诺`, often used in ceremonies (like a wedding vow `结婚誓言`) or pledges of allegiance. +
-  *   [[许诺]] (xǔnuò) - To promise. Very similar to `承诺` and often interchangeable, though some feel it can focus more on the act of promising itself rather than the weight of the commitment. +
-  *   [[一诺千金]] (yī nuò qiān jīn) - An idiom: "a promise is worth a thousand pieces of gold." Embodies the cultural value of a `承诺`. +
-  *   [[信守承诺]] (xìnshǒu chéngnuò) - A set phrase: "to keep/abide by a promise." +
-  *   [[违背承诺]] (wéibèi chéngnuò) - A set phrase: "to break/go against a promise." +
-  *   [[履行承诺]] (lǚxíng chéngnuò) - A set phrase: "to fulfill/carry out a promise" (formal). +
-  *   [[信任]] (xìnrèn) - Trust. The foundation that is built by keeping a `承诺`. +
-  *   [[责任]] (zérèn) - Responsibility, duty. The feeling that is inherent in making a `承诺`.+