Chinese phrases
How to say I promise in Chinese
I promise in Chinese is 我保证 (wǒ bǎo zhèng), “I guarantee.” When you say yes to someone’s request, 我答应你 (wǒ dā ying nǐ), “I promise you,” is often more natural.
我保证
I promise
Ways to say I promise
我保证
EverydayI promise; I guarantee
When someone doubts you: you will be on time, you will not tell anyone, you will pay them back.
我答应你
EverydayI promise you; OK, I will
When you say yes to what someone asks of you. It is a promise to that person.
说话算话
With friendsI keep my word
To show that you mean it, or to remind someone of their promise: 你要说话算话!
一定
EverydayI definitely will
A one-word promise in answer to a request. “Call me when you land.” “一定!”
放心吧
With friendsdon’t worry, leave it to me
To reassure someone that you will do what they asked.
拉钩
With friendspinky promise
Children hook their little fingers to make a promise. Adults say it as a playful promise too.
Common mistakes
Saying 我保证你 for “I promise you”
保证 takes the thing you promise, not the person. 我保证你会喜欢 means “I guarantee you’ll like it.” To promise someone, say 我答应你 or 我跟你保证; 我向你保证 is a little more formal.
Using 承诺 in conversation
承诺 sounds formal: companies, contracts and speeches use it, and the noun can mean a serious commitment in a relationship. To promise something in conversation, say 我保证 or 我答应你.
Saying dá yìng for 答应
答 is dā in 答应, not dá as in 回答. The second syllable is neutral: dā ying.
Keeping a secret
这件事别告诉别人。
Qiqi: Don’t tell anyone about this.
放心吧，我不说。
Leon: Don’t worry, I won’t say anything.
你保证？
Qiqi: Promise?
我保证！说话算话。
Leon: I promise! I keep my word.
