약속을 지키다.
Yaksogeul jikida.
To keep a promise.
Phrase in 30 Seconds
This essential phrase means 'to keep a promise' or 'to be punctual,' forming the foundation of trust in Korean social life.
- Means: To follow through on a verbal or written commitment or appointment.
- Used in: Social gatherings, business deadlines, and personal relationships to show reliability.
- Don't confuse: With just '지키다' (to guard/protect), which requires an object like '약속' to mean 'keep a promise'.
Explanation at your level:
Bedeutung
To fulfill an agreement or commitment.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Punctuality is now considered a vital part of 'In-seong' (character). Being late to a business meeting is often seen as a sign that you are not serious about the partnership. The concept of 'Sinyong' (trust) was one of the five cardinal virtues. Keeping one's word was seen as the difference between a 'Jun-ja' (noble person) and a 'So-in' (base person). In traditional private financial clubs called 'Gye', members had to strictly '약속을 지키다' regarding payments. Failure to do so meant social ostracization from the entire village. Idols often make 'promises' to fans (e.g., 'If we win #1, we will dance in animal costumes'). Fans hold them to these, and '약속 지키는 아이돌' (idols who keep their promises) gain more loyalty.
The 5-Minute Rule
In Korea, 'keeping the promise' often means arriving 5-10 minutes early. Arriving exactly on time is okay, but being early is better.
Don't just say '지키다'
Always include the object '약속을'. Saying just '지켰어요' without context can be confusing as it could mean you guarded a building or kept a secret.
Bedeutung
To fulfill an agreement or commitment.
The 5-Minute Rule
In Korea, 'keeping the promise' often means arriving 5-10 minutes early. Arriving exactly on time is okay, but being early is better.
Don't just say '지키다'
Always include the object '약속을'. Saying just '지켰어요' without context can be confusing as it could mean you guarded a building or kept a secret.
Use with '꼭'
To sound more sincere when making a promise, add '꼭' (surely/definitely): '약속 꼭 지킬게요!'
The Pinky Swear
In Korea, the pinky swear is called '약속' and is often followed by '도장' (stamp) and '복사' (copy) using the thumbs and palms. It's the ultimate visual of '약속을 지키다'.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the blank with the correct form of '지키다'.
신뢰를 얻으려면 친구와의 약속을 꼭 ______.
The sentence is giving advice ('To gain trust...'), so the imperative/polite request form '지키세요' is most appropriate.
Which sentence is the most natural way to say 'I'm sorry I'm late'?
약속 시간에 늦었을 때 뭐라고 할까요?
'못 지켜서' means 'because I couldn't keep it,' which is the standard apology for being late.
Match the Korean phrase with its English meaning.
Match the following:
These are the four core collocations involving '약속'.
Complete the dialogue.
가: 내일 3시에 꼭 오세요. 나: 네, 걱정 마세요. ______.
The speaker is making a commitment for the future, so '지킬게요' (I will keep it) is correct.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Keep vs. Break
Häufig gestellte Fragen
12 FragenNo, it also applies to any verbal agreement, like promising to quit smoking or finishing a task.
The opposite is '약속을 어기다' (to break a promise).
Yes, it is very professional. For even more formality, use '약속을 엄수하다'.
You can say '약속을 지키려고 노력할게요'.
Generally, no. It's best to call or text as soon as you know you'll be late to say you might not be able to '약속을 지키다'.
It is a regular verb. It conjugates to 지켜요, 지킵니다, 지켰어요, etc.
Use the phrase '약속을 못 지키게 됐어요' (I've come to not be able to keep the promise).
Yes, '약속' is the standard word for any social appointment, including dates.
For legal contracts, '계약을 이행하다' (to fulfill a contract) is more common, but '약속을 지키다' is fine for general talk.
'하다' is to make the promise; '지키다' is the action of maintaining it until it's done.
It's slang for 'to flake' or ignore a promise. It's very informal and can be rude.
You can say '약속을 잘 지키는 사람' or '신용이 있는 사람'.
Verwandte Redewendungen
약속을 어기다
contrastTo break a promise
시간을 지키다
specialized formTo be on time
말을 지키다
similarTo keep one's word
신용을 쌓다
builds onTo build credit/trust
공약을 지키다
specialized formTo keep a public/political pledge
Wo du es verwendest
Meeting a friend for coffee
지수: 우리 2시에 만나기로 했잖아. 왜 아직 안 와?
민호: 미안해, 차가 막혀서... 다음에는 꼭 약속 지킬게!
Job Interview
면접관: 본인의 가장 큰 장점은 무엇입니까?
지원자: 저는 사소한 약속이라도 반드시 지키는 정직함이 장점입니다.
Parent and Child
아이: 아빠, 오늘 놀이공원 가기로 했잖아요!
아빠: 그럼, 아빠는 약속을 꼭 지키는 사람이니까 지금 가자.
Business Deadline
팀장: 보고서 마감일 지킬 수 있겠어요?
대리: 네, 금요일까지 약속을 지키겠습니다.
Romantic Relationship
여자친구: 담배 끊는다고 했잖아. 약속 안 지킬 거야?
남자친구: 미안해, 이번에는 정말 약속 지키려고 노력할게.
Doctor's Appointment
간호사: 예약 시간을 지켜주셔서 감사합니다.
환자: 네, 병원 약속은 지켜야죠.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Yaksok' as 'Yack-Sock'. You 'Yack' (talk) to make a promise, and then you put it in your 'Sock' to 'Jikida' (guard/keep) it safe as you walk to the meeting.
Visual Association
Imagine a person standing in front of a giant clock, holding a golden key that locks the clock hands at the exact time of the meeting. The key represents the 'Jikida' (guarding) of the 'Yaksok' (time promise).
Rhyme
Yaksok-eul jikyeo, trust will grow higher!
Story
Min-su promised his grandmother he would visit at 3 PM. On the way, he saw a delicious bakery, but he didn't stop because he wanted to '약속을 지키다'. When he arrived exactly at 3, his grandmother was so happy she gave him a whole cake. Keeping the promise was better than the bakery!
Word Web
Herausforderung
Try to use '약속을 지킬게요' (I will keep the promise) at least three times today: once when setting an alarm, once when talking to a friend, and once when finishing a task.
In Other Languages
Cumplir una promesa
Korean '지키다' also specifically covers being on time for an appointment, whereas Spanish might use 'ser puntual'.
Tenir une promesse
The French version is more about the word given, while the Korean version is equally about the time scheduled.
Ein Versprechen halten
German has a very strong separate word for punctuality ('Pünktlichkeit'), while Korean blends it into '약속을 지키다'.
約束を守る
The usage and cultural weight are nearly identical due to shared Confucian roots.
الوفاء بالوعد
Arabic often uses religious overtones to emphasize the importance of keeping a promise.
守约 (Shǒuyuē)
In modern Mandarin, '遵守诺言' is more common for 'keeping a promise,' while '守约' is slightly more formal.
Cumprir uma promessa
Like other Romance languages, it lacks the 'guarding' metaphor found in Korean.
To keep a promise
English 'keep' is more passive, while Korean '지키다' feels like an active defense of one's word.
Easily Confused
Learners often use '지키다' when they mean they are currently making the promise.
Use '하다' for the act of promising, and '지키다' for the act of doing it later.
Both use '지키다', but '비밀' is for secrets, not appointments.
If it involves a time or a specific task, use '약속'. If it involves information, use '비밀'.
FAQ (12)
No, it also applies to any verbal agreement, like promising to quit smoking or finishing a task.
The opposite is '약속을 어기다' (to break a promise).
Yes, it is very professional. For even more formality, use '약속을 엄수하다'.
You can say '약속을 지키려고 노력할게요'.
Generally, no. It's best to call or text as soon as you know you'll be late to say you might not be able to '약속을 지키다'.
It is a regular verb. It conjugates to 지켜요, 지킵니다, 지켰어요, etc.
Use the phrase '약속을 못 지키게 됐어요' (I've come to not be able to keep the promise).
Yes, '약속' is the standard word for any social appointment, including dates.
For legal contracts, '계약을 이행하다' (to fulfill a contract) is more common, but '약속을 지키다' is fine for general talk.
'하다' is to make the promise; '지키다' is the action of maintaining it until it's done.
It's slang for 'to flake' or ignore a promise. It's very informal and can be rude.
You can say '약속을 잘 지키는 사람' or '신용이 있는 사람'.
