契约
qìyuē · HSK 7
legal instrument
📜 契 deed + 约 pact = a binding written agreement
契 means deed or contract, 约 means pact or agreement; stacked together they double down on the idea of a formal, binding bargain. The pronunciation qìyuē runs the two halves together: chee-yweh.
约 — silk radical 糹/纟 + ladle 勺
约 combines the silk radical 糹 with 勺 (ladle), which provides the sound. Originally it referred to binding or tying with silk cords, from which came the meanings 'to bind by agreement,' hence 'pact, appointment,' and later 'approximately' (a loose, tied-up estimate).