I'm learning
中文
合同 — meaning in English: contract
hétóng · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.
Guess the translation for
contract
艺术家
yìshùjiā
董事会
dǒngshìhuì
合同
hétóng
磁盘
cípán
记者
jìzhě
Skip this question
🎓
Learn Mandarin Chinese for free
Quizzes, examples, audio & daily challenges. No password needed — just your email.
Start learning →
formal
common
Usage
Native speakers frequently use 合同 (hétóng) in business meetings, legal discussions, and during negotiations. For instance, when two companies are finalizing a partnership, they will draft a 合同 to outline the terms and conditions of their agreement.
Synonyms & nuances
A close synonym is 协议 (xiéyì), meaning 'agreement,' but 合同 (hétóng) is more formal and legally binding. You would choose 合同 when discussing formal contracts, while 协议 might be more appropriate for informal agreements or understandings.
Culture
The term 合同 has roots in Classical Chinese, where 合 means 'to combine' or 'to unite,' and 同 means 'together' or 'same.' This reflects the essence of a contract, which unites parties in mutual agreement. Interestingly, in Chinese culture, the signing of a 合同 is often seen as a ceremonial event, emphasizing the seriousness and commitment it represents.
FAQ
