vow

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The on reading is せい, and the kun reading is ちかう. It has 14 strokes and relates to making a firm vow.
• Basic usage: 誓う is read ちかう, and 誓い is read ちかい.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 誓う and 誓い
  • 誓う means swear or vow. It is a verb read ちかう for firmly promising to do or not do something.
  • 二度と同じ失敗をしないと誓った。 means “I vowed never to make the same mistake again.”
  • 誓い means oath or vow. It is a noun read ちかい for the oath or vow itself.
  • 選手たちは来年こそ優勝すると誓いを立てた。 means “The players vowed to win the championship next year.”