Meaning and Usage
"合同" (hé tong) primarily refers to a formal agreement or contract, especially in business or legal contexts. It denotes a document that unites two or more parties under agreed terms.
Common Contexts
This word is frequently used when discussing legal agreements, business deals, employment contracts, or any formal arrangement requiring mutual consent.
Collocations and Patterns
- 合同签署 (hé tong qiān shǔ): signing a contract
- 合同条款 (hé tong tiáo kuǎn): contract clauses
- 合同期限 (hé tong qī xiàn): contract duration
These collocations highlight typical contract-related vocabulary learners should know.
Usage Notes
When using "合同," it implies a formal and binding agreement, often written. It differs from more casual agreements or promises. Be careful not to confuse it with "协议" (agreement), which can be less formal or broader in scope.