合同
hé tong HSK 5

English Meaning

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📚 Example Sentences

我们签了一份新合同。
Wǒmen qiān le yī fèn xīn hétong.
We signed a new contract.
请仔细阅读这份合同。
Qǐng zǐxì yuèdú zhè fèn hétong.
Please read this contract carefully.
合同上写得很清楚。
Hétong shàng xiě de hěn qīngchǔ.
The contract is written very clearly.
我签了合同。
Wǒ qiānle hétong.
I signed the contract.
合同很重要。
Hétong hěn zhòngyào.
The contract is important.

💡 Memory Tip

Think of 合 (hé) meaning 'combine' or 'join' and 同 (tong) meaning 'same' or 'together'—a contract joins parties together under the same terms. You can also associate it with the phrase '合同一起签' (sign the contract together).

📝 Usage Notes

This word is formal and neutral, used in both written and spoken contexts, especially in legal, business, or administrative settings. It is common in discussions about signing, fulfilling, or breaching agreements, such as in real estate, employment, or commercial transactions.

📖 Grammar Points

合同 is typically used as a noun and can be modified by verbs like 签 (sign), 履行 (fulfill), or 违反 (violate). It often appears in structures like '跟/和...签合同' (sign a contract with...) or '合同到期' (the contract expires).

🏯 Cultural Notes

In Chinese culture, contracts are taken seriously in business and legal matters, but relationships (关系, guānxi) can also influence negotiations. Historically, oral agreements were common, but modern practices emphasize written contracts for clarity and legal protection.

🔄 Similar Words

合同 is similar to 协议 (xiéyì), which also means 'agreement', but 合同 is more formal and legally binding, often involving detailed terms, while 协议 can be less formal or broader. Another related word is 契约 (qìyuē), an older or literary term for 'contract' with a stronger emphasis on pledge or covenant.

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