誓言

Meaning of 誓言

誓言 (shìyán) is an oath or solemn vow — 誓 (to swear) and 言 (word, speech). In Chinese culture, oaths sealed with blood (歃血为盟) were binding unto death.

To say Oath in Chinese, pronounce 誓言 as Shì yán. The marks over the letters show the tones — the pitch contour that distinguishes Mandarin syllables.