약속을 지키다

You use this phrase when you want to praise someone for their reliability or when you are making a firm commitment yourself. In Korean, 약속 (yaksok) means both "promise" and "appointment." This is a huge distinction! If you have a 2 PM Zoom call, that is an 약속. If you promise to marry someone, that is also an 약속. To use the phrase, you simply attach the object marker 을 and the verb 지키다. You’ll mostly see it in the past tense 지켰어요 (I kept it) or as a description 지키는 사람 (a person who keeps promises). It works in text messages, office meetings, and even when talking to your dog about that walk you promised. Just don't use it for things you can't control, like promising the weather will be nice—unless you have a direct line to the rain gods.

Imagine you are texting a friend who is always late. You might say, "이번에는 꼭 약속을 지켜라!" (Keep your promise this time, for real!). Or, imagine a scene in a K-drama where the lead says, "내가 한 약속은 꼭 지켜요." (I always keep the promises I make). It sounds cool, cinematic, and very trustworthy. On social media, you might see a fitness influencer posting a "Before and After" photo with the caption: "나 자신과의 약속을 지켰다" (I kept the promise to myself). It’s also used in professional emails when a deadline is met. "마감 기한 약속을 지켜주셔서 감사합니다" (Thank you for keeping the promise regarding the deadline). It turns a boring business transaction into a moment of mutual respect.

Use this when the stakes of trust are involved. It’s perfect for confirming plans on KakaoTalk so your friends know you aren't "ghosting" them. It’s also great for job interviews when you want to emphasize your work ethic. You can say, "저는 항상 약속을 지키는 사람입니다" (I am a person who always keeps their promises). Use it when you’ve finally paid back that 10 bucks you borrowed for bubble tea. It’s also the go-to phrase for parents teaching kids about responsibility. Basically, any time words turn into actions, this phrase is your best friend. It’s like the verbal version of a pinky swear, but with way more adult responsibility attached.

Don't use this for things that aren't actually "promises" or "appointments." For example, if you followed a recipe correctly, you didn't 약속을 지키다—you just followed instructions. Also, avoid using it for habits unless there was a specific vow involved. If you brush your teeth every morning, that's a routine, not a promise you're "protecting." Similarly, don't use it for laws or rules; for those, we use 법을 지키다 (to follow the law). Using 약속 for a speed limit makes it sound like you and the police officer had a private, romantic agreement about how fast you’d drive. Spoiler alert: you didn't, and he's still giving you that ticket.

The biggest trap for English speakers is using the verb 가지다 (to have). In English, we say "I have an appointment," but in Korean, you "make" or "keep" them.

Another mistake is using 지키다 when you actually mean you *made* the promise.

✗ 친구랑 약속을 지켰어요 (when you meant you just made the plan).

Remember, 지키다 is the *action* of fulfilling the word, not the act of saying the word. If you say you'll keep a promise before you've even made it, you're living in a weird time-loop that most Koreans (and grammar) won't understand.

If you want to sound more like a native, try 신뢰를 쌓다 (to build trust). This is a bit more formal and is great for business. If you want to say someone is really reliable, use 믿음직하다. For a more casual way to say someone follows through, you can say 말한 대로 하다 (to do as one said). On the flip side, if someone *breaks* a promise, the direct opposite is 약속을 어기다. If they just completely forgot about it like it never happened, use 약속을 까먹다 (to forget a promise). Knowing these will help you navigate the complex world of Korean social commitments without accidentally offending your future mother-in-law.

You’ll often hear 약속 지켜! as a command, which is basically "Don't you dare flake on me!" In a more formal setting, like a bank or a hospital, you might hear 약속을 이행하다, which is a very fancy way of saying "to fulfill an obligation." If you are talking about a "pinky swear," the word is 손가락 걸고 약속하다. But at the end of the day, 약속을 지키다 is the king of this category. It’s simple, powerful, and works everywhere. You can also add adverbs like 꼭 (surely/definitely) to make it 꼭 약속을 지키다. It adds that extra layer of "I swear on my Netflix subscription that I'll be there."

Is it okay to use this for a 5-minute delay? Not really—if you're late, you've already 약속을 못 지켰다 (couldn't keep the promise). Can I use it for a wedding vow? Absolutely, it’s very romantic! Is it too formal for friends? Not at all; it’s actually very common to use it playfully when someone finally shows up on time. What if I forgot the promise? Then you say 약속을 잊어버렸어요. Just be prepared for the pouty face that follows. Does it apply to keeping secrets? No, for secrets, we use 비밀을 지키다. Keep your promises and your secrets separate, or life gets very confusing very fast!