Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== qiānshǔ: 签署 - To Sign (formally), To Ratify ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** 签署, qianshu, qiānshǔ, sign in Chinese, how to sign a contract in Chinese, formal signature Chinese, ratify a treaty, sign an agreement, Chinese legal terms, business Chinese, HSK 5 vocabulary, 签名 vs 签署 * **Summary:** Learn how to use "签署" (qiānshǔ), the formal Chinese verb for "to sign." This page breaks down its meaning, cultural significance, and practical use in business and legal contexts. Discover when to use 签署 for official documents like contracts and treaties, and how it differs from the more casual "签名" (qiānmíng). This guide includes over 10 example sentences and analysis to help you master this essential HSK 5 term. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** qiānshǔ * **Part of Speech:** Verb * **HSK Level:** HSK 5 * **Concise Definition:** To formally sign a document, agreement, or treaty, making it official. * **In a Nutshell:** "签署" is the heavyweight champion of "signing." You don't use it when signing for a pizza delivery; you use it when a CEO signs a multi-million dollar merger, a diplomat signs a peace treaty, or you sign a legally binding employment contract. It carries the weight of authority, officialdom, and legal commitment. Think of it as meaning "to execute" or "to ratify" a document through a signature. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **签 (qiān):** The bamboo radical (竹) on top hints at ancient writing materials like bamboo slips. The character itself means "to sign," "to note," or "a label." It represents the physical act of marking something with a name. * **署 (shǔ):** This character is associated with government offices, official posts, and public administration. It implies arranging things in an official capacity and carries a sense of authority. * Together, **签署 (qiānshǔ)** combines the physical act of **signing (签)** with the formality and authority of an **official post (署)**. This fusion creates a word that specifically means to sign something in an official, binding capacity. ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== * In Chinese business and official culture, the act of signing a document is a highly formal and significant event. "签署" captures this gravitas. It's often part of a formal ceremony (签署仪式, qiānshǔ yíshì) that solidifies a relationship or agreement. The act is not just a procedural step; it's a public declaration of commitment and the formal beginning of a new legal reality. * **Comparison to Western Culture:** While in English, "to sign" can be used for everything from a birthday card to a treaty, Chinese makes a clearer distinction. Using "签署" is similar to the difference between "signing your name" and "executing a contract." The latter implies a formal, legally significant action, just as "签署" does. * Furthermore, in China, a formal signature (签署) is often accompanied by the stamping of an official seal or "chop" (印章, yìnzhāng). The combination of the signature and the red-inked chop makes a document fully official and legally binding. The act of "签署" is intrinsically linked to this system of formal verification. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== * "签署" is primarily used in formal, written contexts or in serious, formal speech. It is the standard term in business, law, and diplomacy. * **Business Context:** Used for signing contracts (合同, hétong), agreements (协议, xiéyì), and letters of intent (意向书, yìxiàngshū). It signifies that a deal is officially made. * **Legal & Governmental Context:** This is the word used when officials sign laws (法案, fǎ'àn), treaties (条约, tiáoyuē), joint statements (联合声明, liánhé shēngmíng), or other official decrees. * **Formality:** Highly formal. You would almost never use it in casual, everyday conversation about mundane tasks. For signing a receipt or a guestbook, you would use "签名" (qiānmíng). ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 两家公司昨天**签署**了一份重要的合作协议。 * Pinyin: Liǎng jiā gōngsī zuótiān **qiānshǔ** le yí fèn zhòngyào de hézuò xiéyì. * English: The two companies signed an important cooperation agreement yesterday. * Analysis: This is a classic example of "签署" in a business context. The document is an "agreement" (协议), which is formal and legally significant. * **Example 2:** * 各国代表在会议结束时**签署**了联合公报。 * Pinyin: Gèguó dàibiǎo zài huìyì jiéshù shí **qiānshǔ** le liánhé gōngbào. * English: Representatives from all countries signed the joint communiqué at the end of the meeting. * Analysis: This demonstrates the use of "签署" in diplomacy. A "joint communiqué" (联合公报) is a highly formal document. * **Example 3:** * 总统**签署**了这项新法案，使其正式成为法律。 * Pinyin: Zǒngtǒng **qiānshǔ** le zhè xiàng xīn fǎ'àn, shǐ qí zhèngshì chéngwéi fǎlǜ. * English: The president signed the new bill, officially making it law. * Analysis: This shows the word's use in a governmental or legal context. The action of signing makes the bill (法案) effective. * **Example 4:** * 在这里**签署**您的姓名，合同就即刻生效。 * Pinyin: Zài zhèlǐ **qiānshǔ** nín de xìngmíng, hétong jiù jíké shēngxiào. * English: Sign your name here, and the contract will take effect immediately. * Analysis: Although "签名" (qiānmíng) is often used for just the name, "签署" is appropriate here because the context is a formal contract (合同) where the signature has immediate legal consequences. * **Example 5:** * 由于条款存在争议，他们拒绝**签署**这份文件。 * Pinyin: Yóuyú tiáokuǎn cúnzài zhēngyì, tāmen jùjué **qiānshǔ** zhè fèn wénjiàn. * English: Due to disputes over the terms, they refused to sign this document. * Analysis: This example shows the negative usage—the refusal to perform the formal act of signing. * **Example 6:** * 双方将在明天上午举行正式的**签署**仪式。 * Pinyin: Shuāngfāng jiāng zài míngtiān shàngwǔ jǔxíng zhèngshì de **qiānshǔ** yíshì. * English: The two parties will hold a formal signing ceremony tomorrow morning. * Analysis: Here, "签署" is used as part of a compound noun, "signing ceremony" (签署仪式), highlighting the formality of the event. * **Example 7:** * 您需要电子**签署**这份保密协议。 * Pinyin: Nín xūyào diànzǐ **qiānshǔ** zhè fèn bǎomì xiéyì. * English: You need to electronically sign this non-disclosure agreement. * Analysis: "签署" has adapted to the digital age. "电子签署" (diànzǐ qiānshǔ) means "e-signature" or "to sign electronically." * **Example 8:** * 这份租房合同需要你我双方共同**签署**。 * Pinyin: Zhè fèn zūfáng hétong xūyào nǐ wǒ shuāngfāng gòngtóng **qiānshǔ**. * English: This rental contract needs to be signed by both of us. * Analysis: Even a personal document like a rental contract uses "签署" because it is a legally binding agreement. * **Example 9:** * 所有参与项目的成员都必须**签署**一份承诺书。 * Pinyin: Suǒyǒu cānyù xiàngmù de chéngyuán dōu bìxū **qiānshǔ** yí fèn chéngnuòshū. * English: All members participating in the project must sign a letter of commitment. * Analysis: A "letter of commitment" (承诺书) is another example of a formal document requiring an official signature. * **Example 10:** * 该条约是在1990年由二十个国家**签署**的。 * Pinyin: Gāi tiáoyuē shì zài yī jiǔ jiǔ líng nián yóu èrshí ge guójiā **qiānshǔ** de. * English: The treaty was signed by twenty countries in 1990. * Analysis: Perfect example of using "签署" for international treaties (条约). The passive structure is common in formal reporting. ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== * The most common mistake for learners is confusing **签署 (qiānshǔ)** with **签名 (qiānmíng)**. They are not interchangeable. * **签署 (qiānshǔ):** A formal verb for signing official/legal documents. It refers to the **action** that validates a document. You cannot ask for "a 签署". * **签名 (qiānmíng):** A verb or a noun. As a verb, it means "to sign your name" (usually in a less formal context). As a noun, it means "signature" or "autograph." * **Incorrect Usage:** * `*错误 (Incorrect):` 那个明星给了我一个他的**签署**。 (Nàge míngxīng gěile wǒ yí ge tā de qiānshǔ.) * `*Why it's wrong:` You are asking for an autograph, which is a noun. "签署" is a formal verb and cannot be used this way. * `*正确 (Correct):` 那个明星给了我一个他的**签名**。 (Nàge míngxīng gěile wǒ yí ge tā de qiānmíng.) - That celebrity gave me his autograph. * **Incorrect Usage:** * `*错误 (Incorrect):` 请在这里**签署**一下你的名字，我好知道你来过。 (Qǐng zài zhèlǐ qiānshǔ yíxià nǐ de míngzì, wǒ hǎo zhīdào nǐ láiguo.) * `*Why it's wrong:` Signing a guestbook or a sign-in sheet is an informal act. "签署" is too formal and sounds unnatural. * `*正确 (Correct):` 请在这里**签**个**名**。 (Qǐng zài zhèlǐ qiān ge míng.) - Please sign your name here. ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * [[签名]] (qiānmíng) - The more common, less formal verb "to sign," and the noun for "signature" or "autograph." * [[签字]] (qiānzì) - A close synonym of `签名` (qiānmíng), meaning "to sign one's name." Also informal. * [[合同]] (hétong) - Contract. A very common type of document that one would `签署`. * [[协议]] (xiéyì) - Agreement. Similar to a contract, this is a formal document that is `签署`'d. * [[条约]] (tiáoyuē) - Treaty. A formal agreement between nations, always finalized by `签署`. * [[盖章]] (gàizhāng) - To affix an official seal/chop. This action often accompanies or even replaces a `签署` in formal Chinese documents to grant legal validity. * [[批准]] (pīzhǔn) - To approve, to ratify. `签署` is often the final step in the `批准` process for a law or treaty. * [[生效]] (shēngxiào) - To take effect, to become effective. A contract or law will `生效` after it has been `签署`'d.