Synonym Comparison
The Nuance Difference: "予定" vs "約束"
Master the exact conceptual boundary between these Japanese terms.
Japanese Term A
予定
よてい (yotei)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Term B
約束
やくそく (yakusoku)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
In Japanese, both 予定 and 約束 are often translated to English but have distinct usages.
予定 (よてい (yotei)) represents "plan, schedule, arrangement" (Level: N4) and typically represents Often used to talk about future plans or a set schedule. Can be used with ~がある.
On the other hand, 約束 (やくそく (yakusoku)) translates to "promise, appointment, agreement" (Level: N4) and is used for Used for making promises or setting an appointment with someone. Often used with ~する. Mixing these up can sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers!
Bilingual Sentence for "予定"
今週末は旅行の予定があります。
I have travel plans for this weekend.
Bilingual Sentence for "約束"
友達と映画を観る約束をしました。
I made an appointment with my friend to see a movie.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "今週末は旅行の ___ があります。" (Meaning: "I have travel plans for this weekend.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "予定" fits here because it represents "plan, schedule, arrangement" in the context: "I have travel plans for this weekend.".