The kanji 誓 generally conveys the meaning of a "vow," "pledge," "oath," or "promise." It implies a solemn declaration or commitment, often made formally or in the presence of others. The core idea is a binding agreement or a promise that one intends to keep.

・On-yomi (音読み): セイ (sei) ・Kun-yomi (訓読み): ちか（う） (chika(u))

⚫︎誓う (chika u) Translation: To vow; to pledge; to swear. ⚫︎宣誓 (sensei) Translation: Taking an oath; swearing. ⚫︎誓約書 (seiyakusho) Translation: Written pledge; written agreement.

The kanji 誓 is a phono-semantic compound (形声文字, keisei moji). It combines two components: ⚫︎ The top part of the character, 言 (gen/gon/kotoba), which means "words" or "speech" and acts as the semantic component, indicating the meaning is related to speaking or declaring something. ⚫︎ The bottom part, 折 (setsu/ori), which originally depicted "to break". The combination suggests words (言) that are as unbreakable as a broken thing, representing the binding nature of a vow or oath. The original meaning evolved to reflect the commitment and seriousness of a promise.