Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
签约 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
签约qiānyuēto sign a contract or agreementHSK 7, unknown, 19 strokes, rank #6809, Very Hard
qiānyuē(qian1yue1)qian yue T1
  1. 1to sign a contract or agreement
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

签约(簽約)qiānyuē(qian1yue1)

签约 (qian1 yue1) means to sign a contract or agreement, commonly used in business and legal contexts. It signifies the formal commitment of parties to the terms specified in a document. This term is often seen in discussions related to negotiations, partnerships, and legal obligations.

Strokes19Frequency#6809DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese business culture, signing a contract is often accompanied by ceremonies or formal meetings, emphasizing the importance of trust and commitment in business relationships. This reflects the traditional value placed on relationships and agreements in Chinese society.

Memory Tip

Imagine a pen drawing the character 签, which resembles a person signing their name. The act of signing (签) leads to a binding commitment (约), just like when you write your name at the end of a deal. Picture this scene: a businessperson signing a large contract while shaking hands, symbolizing agreement.

Meanings of 签约

qiānyuē(qian1yue1)
1to sign a contract or agreement
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 签约 means.

About 签约

签约Simplified
簽約Traditional
19Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7IntermediateHSKKL3BCT✓CEFRB2

Podcast: 签约

JasonAmy

Podcast: 签约

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 签约

Quick Contrast

签订 (qiāndìng) vs 签约 (qiānyuē): use 签约 when emphasizing the act of signing an agreement, while 签订 focuses more on the formal establishment of the contract.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 签约 with simply 签 (sign), as 签约 implies a formal contract rather than a mere signature. This term is best used in formal contexts, such as business meetings or legal discussions, rather than casual conversations. A common collocation is 签约合同 (sign a contract).

HSK Study Tips

For HSK learners, focus on understanding the components of the word: 签 relates to signing or writing, while 约 refers to agreement or promise. This word connects to other business-related vocabulary at similar levels, such as 合同 (contract) and 协议 (agreement).

Common Mistakes

Learners often misuse 签约 when referring to casual agreements or personal promises. For example, saying '我签约和朋友见面' (I sign a contract to meet my friend) is incorrect; the correct phrase would be '我和朋友约好见面' (I made an arrangement to meet my friend).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 签约

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 签约 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Jason Explains 签约 to You

Let me explain 签约 for you

Make it yours

Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 签约 through them.

Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.

How Well Do You Know 签约?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 签约 is seven skills, not one.

Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.

  • MeaningFree
  • CharacterFree
  • PinyinFree
  • TonePro
  • ListeningPro
  • SpeakingPro
  • WritingPro
See the Learning Lab Three facets free · no card needed

Component Characters

签qiānto sign one's name
HSK 513 strokes⺮
View full entry
约yāoto weigh in a balance or on a scale
HSK 46 strokes纟
View full entry

How to say to sign a contract or agreement in Chinese

“to sign a contract or agreement” in Chinese is签约qiānyuē

签约 (qian1 yue1) means to sign a contract or agreement, commonly used in business and legal contexts. It signifies the formal commitment of parties to the terms specified in a document. This term is often seen in discussions related to negotiations, partnerships, and legal obligations.

When to use 签约

Be careful not to confuse 签约 with simply 签 (sign), as 签约 implies a formal contract rather than a mere signature. This term is best used in formal contexts, such as business meetings or legal discussions, rather than casual conversations. A common collocation is 签约合同 (sign a contract).

签约 or something close to it

签订 (qiāndìng) vs 签约 (qiānyuē): use 签约 when emphasizing the act of signing an agreement, while 签订 focuses more on the formal establishment of the contract.

What learners get wrong

Learners often misuse 签约 when referring to casual agreements or personal promises. For example, saying '我签约和朋友见面' (I sign a contract to meet my friend) is incorrect; the correct phrase would be '我和朋友约好见面' (I made an arrangement to meet my friend).

Write 签约

签
约

Practice writing 签约 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Ask Jason

Have a question about 签约?

Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.

Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.

Frequently Asked Questions about 签约

签约 means to sign a contract or agreement, typically in a formal context.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 签约?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.

A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.

See the Learning Lab