协约 (xié yuē) — treaty, formal agreement (between states)

Definition

A formal written agreement, typically between countries or organizations. Similar to 条约 and 协议, but 协约 specifically implies a negotiated, binding pact — often bilateral or multilateral.

noun
treatyformal agreement (between states)

Examples

  • 协约。
    Liǎng guó qiān dìng le hé píng xié yuē.
    The two countries signed a peace treaty.
  • 协约。
    Zhè ge xié yuē yǐ jīng shēng xiào le.
    This treaty has taken effect.
  • 协约，。
    Gēn jù guó jì xié yuē, gè guó yìng zūn shǒu guī zé.
    According to international treaties, all countries should follow the rules.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

协xiéjoint
约yuēagreement

协 suggests joint or cooperative action, and 约 is an agreement, so 协约 means a joint treaty.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 協; 协 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 協 uses 劦, meaning 'to collaborate', plus 十 for sound; the simplified 协 is a later shorthand.

Open 协 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 約; 约 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
糸糸mìrope
Sound part声符shēngfú
勺
勺sháo約yuē
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 約 uses 糸, a rope, for its meaning and 勺 for its sound; the simplified 约 is a later shorthand.

Open 约 →

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