Use 約束する to make promises and arrangements in everyday Japanese.
The idea
約束する is a する verb. Mark the person promised something with に and the content with a plain clause plus と. For a mutual arrangement, use person + と and an action + 約束をする.
| Dictionary form | Polite non-past | Polite negative | Polite past | て form |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 約束する | 約束します | 約束しません | 約束しました | 約束して |
Examples
- 友達に明日、本を返すと約束しました。I promised my friend that I would return the book tomorrow.
- 友達と駅で会う約束をしました。I arranged to meet my friend at the station.
- 妹は秘密を誰にも言わないと約束しました。My younger sister promised not to tell anyone the secret.
- 約束を守ってください。Please keep your promise.
- 約束を破って謝りました。I broke my promise and apologized.
- まだ会う時間を約束していません。We have not yet arranged a time to meet.
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Watch out
Do not confuse the quotation particle と after a promised clause with と marking the person in a mutual arrangement. 約束を守る means keep a promise; 約束を破る means break one.
Try it yourself
＿。（約束する→ます）
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約束します
約束します is the polite non-past form; context distinguishes present and future.
＿。（約束する→て）
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約束して
約束して is the て form of this する verb and can connect to another action.
友達＿明日行くと約束しました。（に／を）
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に
に marks the person to whom the speaker makes the promise.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Japanese sentences where available. We keep your score.
＿。（約束する→ます）
＿。（約束する→て）
友達＿明日行くと約束しました。（に／を）
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Promise someone you will do something tomorrow, then describe an arrangement to meet a friend.