Definition
发誓 (fā shì) means 'to swear, vow, or pledge' — it emphasizes making a solemn, often emotional promise, sometimes invoking heaven or a higher power. It is stronger and more dramatic than 承诺 (chéng nuò 'to promise') and 保证 (bǎo zhèng 'to guarantee'), and less formal than 宣誓 (xuān shì 'to swear an oath'), which is used in official ceremonies.
verb
to swearto vowto pledge (a solemn promise)
Examples
- 发誓。Tā dāng zhe dàjiā de miàn fā shì yào nǔlì gōngzuò.He vowed in front of everyone to work hard.
- 。Wǒ cóngwèi fā guo zhèyàng de shì.I have never made such a vow.
- 发誓。Tā duì tiān fā shì zìjǐ jué bù huì shuōhuǎng.She swore to heaven that she would never lie.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.