契約書

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 契約書 (けいやくしょ) adds document 書 to agreement 契約 to denote the written contract.
• Basic usage: It is the formal document read before signing and retained by the parties to an agreement.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• The document versus the agreement
  • 契約書 specifically refers to the written instrument, while the contractual relationship can exist as the broader 契約.