JLPT N3 · Japanese kanji
約 — promise
- Reading
- ヤク・つづ.まる・つづ.める・つづま.やか
- Meaning
- promise; approximately; shrink
- JLPT level
- N3
- Language
- Japanese
About this kanji
約 is a japanese kanji character commonly studied at the JLPT N3 level. Its primary reading is ヤク・つづ.まる・つづ.める・つづま.やか and it means promise; approximately; shrink. To master it, see it in real Japanese content — import an article or YouTube video into InputDojo and every occurrence becomes a one-tap lookup.
約 appears in everyday japanese words such as 約 (approximately), 倹約 (thrift) and 制約 (limitation).
Japanese words containing 約
Frequently asked questions
What does 約 mean in Japanese?
約 means promise; approximately; shrink in Japanese. It is one of the JLPT N3 kanji every learner meets at that level.
How is 約 read?
約 is read ヤク・つづ.まる・つづ.める・つづま.やか. Reading it inside real words — 約 and 倹約 and more — is the fastest way to remember it.
What level is 約 — is it JLPT N3?
Yes. 約 is on the official JLPT N3 kanji list, so it can appear in that exam's reading and vocabulary sections.
How do you use 約 in a word?
A common word containing 約 is 約 (やく) — "approximately". More examples are listed below, each with a one-tap dictionary entry.
How do I learn 約 effectively?
Read it in context. Import any Japanese article or video into InputDojo and every occurrence of 約 becomes a one-tap lookup with SRS flashcards, so you meet it in real sentences instead of a list.
More JLPT N3 kanji
Learn every JLPT kanji in context
InputDojo gives you the full JLPT N5–N1 kanji list — plus one-tap lookups in any real Japanese content. Free to start.
Start free