诺

諾

nuò

若 + 讠

Definitions

nuò (verb) to promise; to consent

nuò (particle) yes; indeed

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 讠 represents the meaning and 若 represents the sound. Simplified form of 諾.

Semantic: 讠 Phonetic: 若

About

诺, the simplified form of 諾, is a phonosemantic compound: the simplified speech radical 讠 (from 言) indicates verbal communication, while 若 (ruò) provides the sound. Originally, it served as an exclamation of agreement or a formal, affirmative reply, especially when answering a superior or a direct request. Over time, this sense of spoken assent developed into the meaning of a binding verbal commitment, promising, guaranteeing, or formally consenting to something.

Etymology Hide

Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我承诺帮助你。

Wǒ chéngnuò bāngzhù nǐ.

I promise to help you.

他许下了诺言。

Tā xǔxià le nuòyán.

He made a promise.

我们必须遵守诺言。

Wǒmen bìxū zūnshǒu nuòyán.

We must keep our promise.

她的承诺很真诚。

Tā de chéngnuò hěn zhēnchéng.

Her promise is very sincere.

不要轻易给出承诺。

Bùyào qīngyì gěichū chéngnuò.

Don't make promises easily.

他违背了自己的诺言。

Tā wéibèi le zìjǐ de nuòyán.

He broke his own promise.

承诺的事情就要做到。

Chéngnuò de shìqíng jiù yào zuòdào.

Things promised should be done.

她郑重地承诺会负责到底。

Tā zhèngzhòng de chéngnuò huì fùzé dàodǐ.

She solemnly promised to be responsible to the end.

Related Characters

Component: 若

Component: 讠

诺