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Japanese frequency list

No. 64 in Japanese

約

"約" means "approximately," "about," or "promise."

In a sentence

  • 私は約2時間待ちました。

    I waited for about two hours.

    In this sentence, "約" (yaku) is used as an adverb to express approximation or 'about'. It shows that the duration of waiting was approximately two hours.

  • 彼と約束しました。

    I made a promise with him.

    In this sentence, "約" is part of the word "約束" (yakusoku, promise), where it contributes the meaning of binding or agreement within the compound.

  • この計画には約1万人が関わります。

    About ten thousand people are involved in this project.

    Here, "約" (yaku) is functioning as an adverb to indicate an approximate quantity of people involved in the project.

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