合同 (hétong) — contract; agreement
HSK 4 | noun | a legally binding written agreement between parties
合同 (hétong)
合同 is a formal contract or written agreement between two or more parties that is legally binding.
Meanings
- [noun] a contract or formal written agreement between two or more parties
Example Sentences
他们签了一份为期两年的合同。 Tāmen qiān le yī fèn wéiqī liǎng nián de hétong. They signed a two-year contract.
请仔细阅读合同中的每一条款。 Qǐng zǐxì yuèdú hétong zhōng de měi yī tiáokuǎn. Please carefully read every clause in the contract.
公司违反了合同，客户要求赔偿。 Gōngsī wéifǎn le hétong, kèhù yāoqiú péicháng. The company violated the contract and the client demanded compensation.
合同到期后，双方决定续签。 Hétong dàoqī hòu, shuāngfāng juédìng xùqiān. After the contract expired, both parties decided to renew it.
Collocations
| Collocation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 签合同 | sign a contract |
| 合同条款 | contract terms |
| 违反合同 | violate a contract |
| 续签合同 | renew a contract |
Usage Notes
合同 is the standard word for a formal contract in Chinese. It is used in employment, business, rental, and service contexts. Key verbs associated with 合同 include 签 (to sign), 违反 (to violate), and 续签 (to renew). Distinguishing between 合同 (contract) and 协议 (xiéyì, agreement) is useful: 协议 can be more informal and may not always be legally binding.
Memory Hook
合 means "to combine or agree" and 同 means "same or together," so a 合同 is a document where both parties agree to the same terms.