契約
解説 Definition
二つ以上の当事者の間で交わされた正式な約束や契約。法的に拘束力のある合意。
A covenant is a formal and serious agreement between people, groups, or organizations. It is often used in legal, financial, or religious contexts. The word suggests a stronger and more official promise than an ordinary agreement.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
contract や agreement よりも硬く、promise よりはるかに重い「厳粛な約束」として覚えると残りやすい語です。日常の軽い約束にはまず使わず、法律・宗教・不動産などで、当事者が長く守る義務を負う場面で出やすいのが特徴。sign a contract に近い場面でも、covenant は条件の取り決め以上に「強く結ばれた正式な合意」という響きがあります。enter into a covenant, a covenant between A and B をまとまりで覚えると使い所が見えます。
`Covenant` is stronger and more serious than an everyday `promise`. It often appears in legal, religious, or formal situations, so think of it as a long-term, binding agreement. That tone helps separate it from `contract` or `agreement`. Remember chunks like `enter into a covenant` and `a covenant between A and B`.
例文
The covenant between the two companies outlined their partnership terms.
2つの企業間の契約には、提携条件が定められていました。
Religious covenants have been important in many cultures throughout history.
宗教上の誓約は、歴史を通じて多くの文化で重要な意味を持ってきました。
They entered into a covenant to protect the forest.
彼らは森を保護するための契約を締結しました。
covenant の類義語・関連語
covenant の語源・成り立ち Etymology
covenant は古フランス語 covenant を経て、ラテン語 convenire（共に来る、合意する）にさかのぼります。con-「共に」+ venire「来る」で、人と人が同じ所に来て約束を固める感じがあり、convene や convention と同根です。
Covenant came into English through Old French from Latin convenire, meaning "to come together" or "to agree." It combines con-, "together," and venire, "to come." The idea is that people come together and make a formal agreement, which led to the meaning of a binding promise or pact. Related words include convene and convention.
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