hétong: 合同 - Contract, Agreement

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• Summary: 合同 (hétong) is the essential Chinese word for a formal, legally binding contract. Used in business, employment, and real estate, understanding `hétong` is crucial for anyone working or living in China. This page breaks down its meaning, cultural context, and practical use, including how to sign one (签合同, qiān hétong) and how it differs from a more general agreement (协议, xiéyì).

• Pinyin (with tone marks): hétong
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: A formal, written, and legally binding agreement or contract.
• In a Nutshell: Think of `hétong` as the official, signed document that solidifies a deal. While English has words like “agreement,” “deal,” or “pact,” `hétong` specifically refers to the legally enforceable paper you sign for a job, an apartment, or a business transaction. It carries a sense of formality and legal weight; it's not for a casual handshake agreement between friends.

• 合 (hé): To join, combine, unite, or fit together. It often implies a coming together of two or more parts to form a whole.
• 同 (tóng): Same, alike, together. It signifies shared attributes or consensus.
• Combined Meaning: The characters literally combine to mean “joined in sameness” or “uniting on the same (terms).” This perfectly captures the essence of a contract: two or more parties coming together and agreeing to the exact same set of conditions, which are then formalized in writing.

In modern China, the `hétong` is a cornerstone of business and civil life, just as a contract is in the West. Its importance has grown immensely with China's economic development and integration into the global economy. However, there's a key cultural nuance to understand when comparing it to a Western contract. In many Western cultures, the contract is often seen as the beginning and end of a business relationship—the “letter of the law” is absolute. In China, while the `hétong` is legally binding and taken very seriously, it's often viewed as a formalization of a relationship that should also be built on trust and mutual understanding (`关系, guānxi`). For some, the contract codifies the “what” (the deliverables, the price), but the `guānxi` governs the “how” (how disputes are handled, the level of flexibility, future cooperation). A Westerner might focus exclusively on the clauses, while their Chinese counterpart may place equal or greater importance on the long-term relationship the contract represents. This doesn't mean the contract will be ignored, but rather that problems are often preferably solved through negotiation and preserving the relationship before resorting to the strict legal penalties outlined in the `hétong`.

`合同` is a formal and neutral term used in specific, official contexts. You will encounter it most frequently in business, employment, and major life events. The most common verb used with `合同` is `签 (qiān)`, which means “to sign.” The phrase `签合同 (qiān hétong)`—“to sign a contract”—is an extremely common and important collocation.

• Employment: When you get a job in China, you will sign a `劳动合同 (láodòng hétong)` or “labor contract.”
• Renting: To rent an apartment, you must sign a `租房合同 (zūfáng hétong)` or “rental contract.”
• Business: Companies sign various contracts, such as a `销售合同 (xiāoshòu hétong)` (sales contract) or `采购合同 (cǎigòu hétong)` (procurement contract).
• Legal Matters: The parties in a contract are formally referred to as `甲方 (jiǎfāng)` (Party A) and `乙方 (yǐfāng)` (Party B). You will see these terms in every formal `hétong`.

• Example 1:
  • 我们明天上午九点签合同。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen míngtiān shàngwǔ jiǔ diǎn qiān hétong.
  • English: We will sign the contract tomorrow at 9 AM.
  • Analysis: This shows the most common use of `hétong` with the verb `签 (qiān)`. It's a straightforward and practical phrase.
• Example 2:
  • 在签租房合同之前，你一定要仔细阅读所有条款。
  • Pinyin: Zài qiān zūfáng hétong zhīqián, nǐ yídìng yào zǐxì yuèdú suǒyǒu tiáokuǎn.
  • English: Before signing the rental contract, you must carefully read all the clauses.
  • Analysis: This example introduces a specific type of contract, `租房合同 (zūfáng hétong)`, and the related word `条款 (tiáokuǎn)`, meaning “clauses” or “terms.”
• Example 3:
  • 我的劳动合同明年三月到期。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ de láodòng hétong míngnián sānyuè dàoqī.
  • English: My employment contract expires next March.
  • Analysis: Here, `劳动合同 (láodòng hétong)` refers to an employment contract. `到期 (dàoqī)` means “to expire.”
• Example 4:
  • 如果你提前解约，就算你违反合同。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ nǐ tíqián jiěyuē, jiù suàn nǐ wéifǎn hétong.
  • English: If you terminate the agreement early, it's considered a breach of contract.
  • Analysis: This introduces the concept of `违反合同 (wéifǎn hétong)`, “to breach the contract,” a critical legal phrase.
• Example 5:
  • 这份合同一式两份，我们一人一份。
  • Pinyin: Zhè fèn hétong yí shì liǎng fèn, wǒmen yì rén yí fèn.
  • English: This contract is in duplicate; we each get one copy.
  • Analysis: `一式两份 (yí shì liǎng fèn)` is standard legal language you'll see in contracts, meaning “in two identical copies.” `份 (fèn)` is the measure word for documents like contracts.
• Example 6:
  • 根据合同规定，乙方必须在月底前交货。
  • Pinyin: Gēnjù hétong guīdìng, Yǐfāng bìxū zài yuèdǐ qián jiāohuò.
  • English: According to the contract's provisions, Party B must deliver the goods before the end of the month.
  • Analysis: This sentence uses the formal terms `乙方 (Yǐfāng)` (Party B) and `规定 (guīdìng)` (stipulates/provisions), which are common in contract language.
• Example 7:
  • 请让你们的律师审核一下这份合同。
  • Pinyin: Qǐng ràng nǐmen de lǜshī shěnhé yíxià zhè fèn hétong.
  • English: Please have your lawyer review this contract.
  • Analysis: `审核 (shěnhé)` means “to review” or “to audit” in a formal capacity, perfect for legal documents.
• Example 8:
  • 合同自双方签字盖章之日起生效。
  • Pinyin: Hétong zì shuāngfāng qiānzì gàizhāng zhī rì qǐ shēngxiào.
  • English: The contract takes effect from the date of signature and sealing by both parties.
  • Analysis: This is boilerplate legal language. `签字 (qiānzì)` means to sign, `盖章 (gàizhāng)` means to affix an official seal/stamp (very important in China), and `生效 (shēngxiào)` means to become effective.
• Example 9:
  • 如果你违反合同，将需要支付高额的违约金。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ nǐ wéifǎn hétong, jiāng xūyào zhīfù gāo'é de wéiyuējīn.
  • English: If you breach the contract, you will need to pay a hefty penalty.
  • Analysis: Introduces `违约金 (wéiyuējīn)`, the specific term for a contractual penalty or liquidated damages.
• Example 10:
  • 由于缺乏关键信息，这份合同被认定为无效。
  • Pinyin: Yóuyú quēfá guānjiàn xìnxī, zhè fèn hétong bèi rèndìng wéi wúxiào.
  • English: Due to a lack of key information, this contract was deemed invalid.
  • Analysis: Shows the opposite of `生效 (shēngxiào)`. `无效 (wúxiào)` means “invalid” or “void.”

The most common mistake for learners is confusing `合同 (hétong)` with `协议 (xiéyì)`.

• `合同 (hétong)`: A formal, legally binding contract. It is typically comprehensive, standardized, and enforceable in a court of law. It's used for major commercial, employment, and property transactions.
  • Example: You sign a `劳动合同 (láodòng hétong)` for a job.
• `协议 (xiéyì)`: A more general agreement, accord, or protocol. While it can be formal and written, it's often less legally rigorous or covers matters where `hétong` would be too strong. It implies reaching a mutual understanding.
  • Example: Two countries sign a `合作协议 (hézuò xiéyì)` (cooperation agreement). A couple getting divorced signs a `离婚协议 (líhūn xiéyì)` (divorce agreement). You would not call this a `离婚合同`.

Common Mistake: Using `合同` for a casual agreement.

• Incorrect: 我和朋友有个合同，周五一起吃饭。 (Wǒ hé péngyou yǒu ge hétong, zhōuwǔ yìqǐ chīfàn.)
• Why it's wrong: This is far too formal. A dinner plan is a casual arrangement.
• Correct: 我和朋友约好了，周五一起吃饭。 (Wǒ hé péngyou yuēhǎo le, zhōuwǔ yìqǐ chīfàn.) - “My friend and I have an appointment/plan…”

• 协议 (xiéyì) - Agreement; protocol. A broader and often less legally binding term than `合同`.
• 签 (qiān) - To sign. The primary verb used with `合同` (e.g., `签合同`).
• 条款 (tiáokuǎn) - Clause; article; term (of a contract or treaty). The specific points listed within a `合同`.
• 甲方 (jiǎfāng) - Party A. The first party listed in a contract, often the one paying or commissioning work.
• 乙方 (yǐfāng) - Party B. The second party listed in a contract, often the one providing a service or product.
• 违约 (wéiyuē) - To breach a contract. The verb describing the action of not following the `合同`.
• 违约金 (wéiyuējīn) - Liquidated damages; a penalty for breaching a contract. The money you pay for `违约`.
• 法律效力 (fǎlǜ xiàolì) - Legal effect; validity. A `合同` has this, while a casual promise does not.
• 租 (zū) - To rent. Directly related to signing a `租房合同` (rental contract).
• 保证 (bǎozhèng) - To guarantee; a guarantee. While a promise, it's less formal than a `合同` but stronger than a simple agreement.