約束

[Ian_Lee]

約束 is another interesting term.

In Chinese, it merely means "to restrain or restrict". When you quarrel with your neighbor because his kid's butt is kicked by your kid, he may sarcastically ask you to 約束 your kid.

But 約束 (약속) is oftern heard in the Japanese and Korean dramas when the lovers make promise that they will never betray each other.

Anybody knows why does 約束 change its meaning from "to restrict/restrain" to "to promise"?

[MarkKang]

But 約束 (약속) is oftern heard in the Japanese and Korean dramas when the lovers make promise that they will never betray each other.

In this type of context it should just mean to restrict oneself to one partner.

[zhwj]

約束 has historically meant a sort of binding treaty, say between warring states. So one can see how it could mean a binding promise between lovers.