채권
A bond is a formal contract to repay borrowed money with interest at a future date.
Explanation at your level:
A bond is a piece of paper that says someone owes you money. You give them money now, and they give you more money later.
In business, a bond is a way for companies to borrow money from people. When you buy a bond, you are a lender.
Bonds are debt securities. They are popular investments because they are often safer than stocks. You receive regular interest payments.
Governments issue treasury bonds to fund public projects. Investors analyze bond yields to understand the health of the economy.
The bond market is highly sensitive to interest rate fluctuations. When central banks raise rates, existing bond prices often fall, creating complex trading dynamics.
Historically, the issuance of sovereign bonds was a revolutionary mechanism for state financing, enabling nations to leverage future tax revenue for immediate capital expenditure.
Word in 30 Seconds
- A bond is a debt instrument.
- It is used to raise capital.
- Investors receive interest.
- It is a common investment.
Think of a bond as an IOU from a big organization. When a government or a large company needs to raise money, they don't always go to a bank; instead, they issue bonds to the public.
By buying a bond, you are essentially lending your money to that entity for a set period. In exchange, they agree to pay you back the original amount plus interest. It is a fundamental building block of the global financial system and a common way for people to grow their savings safely.
The word bond comes from the Middle English band or bond, meaning a 'binding' or 'fetter.' It shares the same root as the word 'bind,' reflecting the idea of being tied to a legal obligation.
Historically, bonds were physical paper documents that were physically 'bound' by a seal. During the 17th century, governments like the Dutch Republic began issuing these to fund wars and public works, creating the modern concept of the debt security we recognize today.
You will hear bond used most frequently in business and news contexts. Common phrases include government bonds, corporate bonds, and bond market.
While the term is very specific in finance, it is also used in general English to describe a strong connection between people. In a financial sense, always ensure the context is clear so people don't confuse it with a personal relationship!
1. Bond with someone: To develop a close relationship. Example: We bonded over our shared love of music.
2. In bond: Goods stored in a warehouse until taxes are paid. Example: The whiskey was kept in bond.
3. Post bond: To pay money to get someone out of jail. Example: He had to post bond to be released.
4. Break the bond: To end a connection. Example: Nothing could break the bond between them.
5. Bond of matrimony: A formal way to say marriage. Example: They entered the bond of matrimony.
The word bond is a regular countable noun. You can have one bond or many bonds. It is often used with the verb 'issue' (to issue a bond) or 'buy' (to buy a bond).
Pronunciation: In British English, it is /bɒnd/. In American English, it is /bɑːnd/. It rhymes with fond, pond, wand, beyond, and frond.
Fun Fact
It shares a root with the word 'band'.
Pronunciation Guide
Short 'o' sound
Open 'ah' sound
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing as 'bound'
- Stress on wrong syllable
- Confusing with 'band'
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read
Easy to write
Easy to say
Easy to hear
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Countable Nouns
I have a bond.
Examples by Level
He has a bond.
He owns a debt note.
Simple subject-verb-object.
She bought a government bond.
The company issued new bonds.
Bonds pay interest every year.
He invested in a safe bond.
The bond matures in five years.
Do you own any bonds?
I need to check the bond rate.
The bond is a good choice.
Corporate bonds are riskier than government ones.
He keeps his savings in bonds.
The bond market crashed yesterday.
They issued a ten-year bond.
The interest rate on the bond is fixed.
Investors prefer bonds during recessions.
The bond provides a steady income.
She sold her bonds for a profit.
The central bank's policy affected bond yields.
He diversified his portfolio with municipal bonds.
The bond price plummeted due to inflation.
The issuer defaulted on the bond payments.
Long-term bonds carry more interest rate risk.
The bond indenture outlines the terms.
Institutional investors dominate the bond market.
The yield curve shows bond returns.
The flight to quality saw investors flocking to government bonds.
The bond market is currently pricing in a rate hike.
Zero-coupon bonds do not pay periodic interest.
The bond's face value is paid at maturity.
The sovereign bond market is a barometer for economic stability.
Convertible bonds offer the option to switch to equity.
The bond spread widened significantly this quarter.
He analyzed the bond's credit rating carefully.
The monetization of debt through the issuance of perpetual bonds remains a controversial fiscal strategy.
The bond market's liquidity has diminished in the wake of the liquidity trap.
The structural integrity of the bond covenant was challenged in court.
The bond's duration is a key metric for interest rate sensitivity.
The issuance of green bonds aims to fund sustainable infrastructure.
The bond market reflects the market's collective expectations of future inflation.
The bond's convexity measures how its price changes with yield.
The arbitrage opportunities in the bond market are increasingly scarce.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"bond with"
Connect emotionally
They bonded with their new neighbors.
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Easily Confused
Similar spelling
A band is a group of musicians or a strip of material.
The band played music.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + issue + bond
The state issued a bond.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
8/10
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
They are fundamentally different financial instruments.
Tips
Binding Promise
Remember that a bond is a 'binding' document.
Financial Context
Use it when talking about loans and investments.
James Bond
The name implies he is 'bound' to his duty.
Countable
Always use 'a' or 'the' before bond.
Vowel Sound
Keep the 'o' short.
Don't say 'bonds' when you mean 'stock'.
They are different.
Historical Roots
Bonds were once physical papers.
Read Financial News
Look for the word in the Wall Street Journal.
Verbs
We 'issue' bonds.
Plural
Add 's' for more than one.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
A bond is a 'binding' promise to pay.
Visual Association
A paper with a seal on it.
Word Web
Challenge
Look up current bond yields.
Word Origin
Middle English
Original meaning: A band or fetter
Cultural Context
None
Bonds are a staple of retirement planning in the US and UK.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Finance
- bond market
- bond yield
- government bond
Conversation Starters
"Do you own any bonds?"
"What do you think about the bond market?"
"Is it better to buy stocks or bonds?"
"Have you ever bonded with someone over a hobby?"
"Do you understand how government bonds work?"
Journal Prompts
Explain why someone would choose a bond over a stock.
Describe a time you bonded with a friend.
What are the risks of buying a bond?
Why do governments issue bonds?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsNo, a bond is debt; a stock is equity.
Test Yourself
I bought a ___ to save money.
Bonds are financial tools.
What is a bond?
A bond is a debt instrument.
A bondholder is a lender.
Buying a bond makes you the lender.
Word
Meaning
Matching financial terms.
Standard SVO structure.
Score: /5
Summary
A bond is a formal promise to pay back borrowed money with interest.
- A bond is a debt instrument.
- It is used to raise capital.
- Investors receive interest.
- It is a common investment.
Binding Promise
Remember that a bond is a 'binding' document.
Financial Context
Use it when talking about loans and investments.
James Bond
The name implies he is 'bound' to his duty.
Countable
Always use 'a' or 'the' before bond.
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