誓言

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誓言 [2025/08/11 11:53] – created xiaoer誓言 [Unknown date] (current) – removed - external edit (Unknown date) 127.0.0.1
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-====== shìyán: 誓言 - Oath, Vow, Pledge ====== +
-===== Quick Summary ===== +
-  * **Keywords:** shiyan, shìyán, 誓言, Chinese oath, make a vow in Chinese, solemn promise, pledge, swear an oath, Chinese promise, what is shiyan, how to use 誓言 +
-  * **Summary:** Learn the deep meaning of **誓言 (shìyán)**, the Chinese word for a solemn oath, vow, or pledge. This guide explores its cultural significance, from ancient pledges of brotherhood to modern wedding vows, and contrasts it with a simple promise. Discover how to use **誓言 (shìyán)** correctly with practical examples, character breakdowns, and analysis of related terms, making it an essential term for understanding commitment and gravity in Chinese culture. +
-===== Core Meaning ===== +
-  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** shìyán +
-  * **Part of Speech:** Noun +
-  * **HSK Level:** HSK 6 +
-  * **Concise Definition:** A solemn, binding promise or declaration, often made in a formal or sacred context; an oath or vow. +
-  * **In a Nutshell:** A **誓言 (shìyán)** is not your everyday promise. Think of it as a "promise 2.0"—it's a heavy, deeply serious commitment that carries significant weight. It’s the word you use for a wedding vow, a soldier's pledge to their country, or a life-altering commitment made to a cause or another person. A **誓言** is meant to be unbreakable, and breaking one is a serious violation of trust and honor. +
-===== Character Breakdown ===== +
-  * **誓 (shì):** This character is about making a solemn declaration. It's composed of **言 (yán)**, meaning "words" or "speech," and **折 (zhé)**, which originally depicted an axe (斤) breaking something. The combination suggests words that are decisive and final—a "cutting" statement that cannot be taken back. +
-  * **言 (yán):** This character simply means "word," "speech," or "to speak." It's a foundational character for many terms related to communication. +
-Together, **誓言 (shìyán)** literally means "decisive words" or "final words," which perfectly captures the concept of a binding, unchangeable oath. +
-===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== +
-In Chinese culture, a **誓言 (shìyán)** is profoundly linked to concepts of personal honor (荣誉, róngyù), loyalty (忠诚, zhōngchéng), and righteousness (义, yì). Historically, famous oaths have defined relationships and changed the course of history, such as the Oath of the Peach Garden in the classic novel *Romance of the Three Kingdoms*, where three warriors swore an oath of brotherhood. +
-A **誓言** is different from a Western "oath" in subtle but important ways. While a Western oath might be sworn before God or on a holy book, a traditional Chinese **誓言** is often a declaration of one's character and commitment before heaven, earth, or one's ancestors. The binding force comes from within—from one's own sense of honor and the social consequences of breaking such a profound commitment. It is far more serious than a simple "promise" (诺言, nuòyán), which can be broken with less severe repercussions. Breaking a **誓言** is seen as a deep personal and moral failure. +
-===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== +
-While rooted in tradition, **誓言 (shìyán)** is still a powerful word in modern China. +
-  * **Formal Ceremonies:** This is its most common usage. +
-    * **Weddings:** Couples exchange 结婚**誓言** (jiéhūn shìyán - wedding vows). +
-    * **Politics & Military:** New members of the Communist Party or soldiers take an oath (宣誓, xuānshì), which is a type of **誓言**. +
-  * **In Love and Relationships:** The term is used to express the deepest level of commitment. The famous idiom [[山盟海誓]] (shānménghǎishì), "oaths as eternal as the mountains and seas," is a classic example of lovers' vows. Using **誓言** in a relationship signifies that the commitment is for life. +
-  * **Literature and Media:** It's frequently used in films, TV dramas (especially historical or wuxia genres), and novels to create dramatic tension and highlight the gravity of a character's pledge. +
-  * **Hyperbole:** In casual conversation, people rarely use **誓言**. Instead, they might use the verb [[发誓]] (fāshì - to swear) for emphasis, like "I swear I didn't eat the last cookie!" But referring to that promise as a **誓言** would be overly dramatic. +
-===== Example Sentences ===== +
-  * **Example 1:** +
-    * 他们在婚礼上交换了永恒的**誓言**。 +
-    * Pinyin: Tāmen zài hūnlǐ shàng jiāohuànle yǒnghéng de **shìyán**. +
-    * English: They exchanged eternal vows at their wedding ceremony. +
-    * Analysis: A classic, formal use of **誓言**. The word "eternal" (永恒) reinforces the solemn, lifelong nature of the vow. +
-  * **Example 2:** +
-    * 士兵们立下保卫国家的庄严**誓言**。 +
-    * Pinyin: Shìbīngmen lìxià bǎowèi guójiā de zhuāngyán **shìyán**. +
-    * English: The soldiers made a solemn oath to defend the country. +
-    * Analysis: This shows **誓言** in a patriotic context. The adjective "solemn" (庄严, zhuāngyán) is often paired with **誓言** in formal settings. +
-  * **Example 3:** +
-    * 他违背了当初的**誓言**，伤害了所有信任他的人。 +
-    * Pinyin: Tā wéibèile dāngchū de **shìyán**, shānghàile suǒyǒu xìnrèn tā de rén. +
-    * English: He broke his original oath, hurting everyone who trusted him. +
-    * Analysis: This example highlights the negative consequences of breaking a **誓言**. The verb "to violate/break" (违背, wéibèi) is commonly used with **誓言**. +
-  * **Example 4:** +
-    * 这不仅仅是一个诺言，这是一个**誓言**。 +
-    * Pinyin: Zhè bùjǐn jǐn shì yīgè nuòyán, zhè shì yīgè **shìyán**. +
-    * English: This isn't just a promise, it's a vow. +
-    * Analysis: This sentence directly contrasts **誓言** with a regular promise ([[诺言]], nuòyán), clearly showing the difference in weight and seriousness. +
-  * **Example 5:** +
-    * 他们的**誓言**如山盟海誓，感动了在场的每一个人。 +
-    * Pinyin: Tāmen de **shìyán** rú shānménghǎishì, gǎndòngle zàichǎng de měi yīgè rén. +
-    * English: Their vows were like oaths of mountains and seas, moving everyone present. +
-    * Analysis: This connects **誓言** to the famous idiom [[山盟海誓]] (shānménghǎishì), illustrating its use in the context of profound, romantic love. +
-  * **Example 6:** +
-    * 医生们都曾立下救死扶伤的**誓言**。 +
-    * Pinyin: Yīshēngmen dōu céng lìxià jiùsǐfúshāng de **shìyán**. +
-    * English: All doctors have taken an oath to save the dying and heal the injured. +
-    * Analysis: This refers to a professional oath, similar to the Hippocratic Oath. The phrase 救死扶伤 (jiùsǐfúshāng) is a set phrase for a doctor's duty. +
-  * **Example 7:** +
-    * 在古代，兄弟结义时会立下同生共死的**誓言**。 +
-    * Pinyin: Zài gǔdài, xiōngdì jiéyì shí huì lìxià tóngshēnggòngsǐ de **shìyán**. +
-    * English: In ancient times, when becoming sworn brothers, they would make an oath to live and die together. +
-    * Analysis: This illustrates the historical and cultural context of **誓言**, particularly the concept of sworn brotherhood (结义, jiéyì). +
-  * **Example 8:** +
-    * 他在日记里写下了改变自己人生的**誓言**。 +
-    * Pinyin: Tā zài rìjì lǐ xiě xiàle gǎibiàn zìjǐ rénshēng de **shìyán**. +
-    * English: He wrote down a vow in his diary to change his own life. +
-    * Analysis: This shows a more personal, yet still very serious, use of **誓言**. It’s a commitment made to oneself with great determination. +
-  * **Example 9:** +
-    * 忘记**誓言**的人，也忘记了自己是谁。 +
-    * Pinyin: Wàngjì **shìyán** de rén, yě wàngjìle zìjǐ shì shéi. +
-    * English: A person who forgets their oath also forgets who they are. +
-    * Analysis: A philosophical sentence emphasizing how a **誓言** is tied to one's identity and core values. +
-  * **Example 10:** +
-    * 我发誓我会成功，这对我来说就是一个**誓言**。 +
-    * Pinyin: Wǒ fāshì wǒ huì chénggōng, zhè duì wǒ lái shuō jiùshì yīgè **shìyán**. +
-    * English: I swear I will succeed; to me, this is a vow. +
-    * Analysis: This shows how the verb [[发誓]] (fāshì - to swear) can lead to the creation of a noun, **誓言**. It bridges the action of swearing with the concept of the resulting vow. +
-===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== +
-The most common mistake for learners is confusing **誓言 (shìyán)** with other words for "promise." +
-  * **誓言 (shìyán) vs. 诺言 (nuòyán):** +
-    * **誓言 (shìyán):** A sacred, solemn VOW or OATH. It's formal, heavy, and implies a life-altering commitment. Breaking it is a major moral failure. +
-    * **诺言 (nuòyán):** A general PROMISE. It can be serious, but it's also used for everyday commitments. It lacks the sacred weight of a **誓言**. +
-    * **Incorrect Usage:** `我给你一个**誓言**，我下午会去超市。` (I give you an oath that I will go to the supermarket this afternoon.) +
-    * **Why it's wrong:** This is a trivial, everyday task. Using **誓言** is dramatic and inappropriate. You should use [[诺言]] (nuòyán) or, more naturally, just say `我保证下午去超市` (I guarantee I'll go to the supermarket this afternoon). +
-  * **誓言 (shìyán) vs. 保证 (bǎozhèng):** +
-    * **保证 (bǎozhèng):** A GUARANTEE or ASSURANCE. It's practical and focuses on ensuring an outcome. It's used in business (product warranty), logistics (guaranteeing delivery), and everyday life (assuring someone you'll be on time). It lacks the emotional and moral depth of **誓言**. +
-    * **Example:** You **保证 (bǎozhèng)** that a report will be done by 5 PM. You make a **誓言 (shìyán)** to love your partner for all eternity. +
-Remember: Use **誓言** only for the most profound, serious, and binding commitments. For everything else, [[诺言]] (nuòyán) or [[保证]] (bǎozhèng) are better choices. +
-===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== +
-  * [[发誓]] (fāshì) - The verb "to swear" or "to vow." This is the action that creates a **誓言**. +
-  * [[诺言]] (nuòyán) - A promise. The less formal, more common counterpart to **誓言**. +
-  * [[承诺]] (chéngnuò) - A commitment; to promise. It's more formal than **诺言** but less sacred than **誓言**. Often used in business or legal contexts. +
-  * [[保证]] (bǎozhèng) - To guarantee; an assurance. A practical term focused on ensuring a result. +
-  * [[宣誓]] (xuānshì) - The formal act of "taking an oath" publicly, e.g., in a courtroom or during an inauguration. +
-  * [[山盟海誓]] (shānménghǎishì) - A popular idiom meaning "oaths as eternal as the mountains and seas," used almost exclusively for lovers' vows. +
-  * [[违背誓言]] (wéibèi shìyán) - A common collocation meaning "to break/violate an oath." +
-  * [[忠诚]] (zhōngchéng) - Loyalty; faithfulness. A core value that a **誓言** is meant to demonstrate. +
-  * [[信守]] (xìnshǒu) - To abide by; to keep (a promise or oath). Example: 信守**誓言**. +
-  * [[立誓]] (lìshì) - A slightly more formal verb for "to make a vow." Example: 他**立誓**要报仇 (He vowed to take revenge).+