qiāndìng: 签订 - To Sign (a contract), To Conclude (a treaty)

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• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese verb 签订 (qiāndìng), which means to formally sign and conclude a legally binding document. This page breaks down its meaning, cultural significance in modern Chinese business, and practical usage for signing contracts, treaties, and agreements. Understand the difference between `签订` and simply “signing your name,” and master its use with over 10 practical example sentences.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): qiāndìng
• Part of Speech: Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: To formally sign and bring into effect a contract, treaty, or agreement.
• In a Nutshell: `签订` is a formal and official verb that represents the final step in making a deal. It's not just about the physical act of writing your name; it’s about the legal and symbolic act of finalizing a binding agreement. Think of it as the moment a negotiated deal becomes a concrete, enforceable reality. You use it for serious matters like job contracts, apartment leases, business deals, and international treaties.

• 签 (qiān): The top part is the “bamboo” radical (竹), hinting at ancient slips of bamboo used for writing. The core meaning of `签` is “to sign” or “a label/slip.” It represents the physical action of putting your name on a document.
• 订 (dìng): The left part is the “speech” radical (言), and the right part (丁) provides the sound. `订` means “to agree upon,” “to conclude,” or “to book.” It represents the mutual agreement and conclusion of negotiations.

By combining the physical action of signing (`签`) with the finality of an agreement (`订`), `签订` creates a powerful, formal verb that means “to finalize an agreement by signing it.”

In modern China, while personal relationships (`关系 guānxi`) are still incredibly important in business, the concept of a legally binding contract has become the bedrock of the formal economy. The act of `签订` a contract is therefore a highly significant event. Compared to the Western practice of “executing a contract,” which can sometimes be a sterile process of emailing PDFs, the signing ceremony (`签约仪式 qiānyuē yíshì`) in China can be a major affair. For significant business deals, it often involves a formal meeting with both parties, photographers, and a public announcement. This ceremony doesn't just make the agreement legally binding; it publicly solidifies the partnership and gives “face” (`面子 miànzi`) to everyone involved. The act of `签订` is the bridge between informal trust-based negotiation and the modern, legally-protected world of commerce. It signals that the relationship has leveled up to a serious, official partnership.

`签订` is used exclusively in formal contexts involving official documents. You will encounter it most frequently in business, legal, and administrative settings.

• Business and Finance: This is the most common context. Companies `签订` contracts (`合同 hétong`), partnership agreements (`合作协议 hézuò xiéyì`), and investment deals (`投资协议 tóuzī xiéyì`).
• Legal and Government: Governments `签订` treaties (`条约 tiáoyuē`) and international accords. Legal documents like non-disclosure agreements are also `签订`-ed.
• Personal Life: While less common in casual life, it is used for major personal commitments that require a formal contract, such as signing a lease for an apartment (`签订租房合同`) or an employment contract (`签订劳动合同`).

The connotation is always neutral to positive, as it signifies the successful conclusion of negotiations. It is never used informally. You would not `签订` a birthday card or a dinner receipt.

• Example 1:
  • 两家公司昨天签订了一份长期合作合同。
  • Pinyin: Liǎng jiā gōngsī zuótiān qiāndìng le yī fèn chángqī hézuò hétong.
  • English: The two companies signed a long-term cooperation contract yesterday.
  • Analysis: A classic and common example of `签订` used in a business context with the object `合同` (contract).
• Example 2:
  • 我们需要和房东签订正式的租赁协议。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen xūyào hé fángdōng qiāndìng zhèngshì de zūlìn xiéyì.
  • English: We need to sign a formal lease agreement with the landlord.
  • Analysis: This shows the use of `签订` in a common real-life situation for an individual. Note the object is `协议` (agreement).
• Example 3:
  • 这两个国家终于签订了和平条约。
  • Pinyin: Zhè liǎng ge guójiā zhōngyú qiāndìng le hépíng tiáoyuē.
  • English: These two countries have finally concluded a peace treaty.
  • Analysis: Demonstrates the term's use in the high-stakes context of international relations with the object `条约` (treaty).
• Example 4:
  • 在签订任何文件之前，请仔细阅读所有条款。
  • Pinyin: Zài qiāndìng rènhé wénjiàn zhīqián, qǐng zǐxì yuèdú suǒyǒu tiáokuǎn.
  • English: Before signing any documents, please read all the terms and conditions carefully.
  • Analysis: A practical piece of advice, using `签订` in a more general sense to refer to signing official documents.
• Example 5:
  • 他很高兴能与这家著名的公司签订劳动合同。
  • Pinyin: Tā hěn gāoxìng néng yǔ zhè jiā zhùmíng de gōngsī qiāndìng láodòng hétong.
  • English: He is very happy to be able to sign an employment contract with this famous company.
  • Analysis: Shows the term's use in the context of employment.
• Example 6:
  • 由于一些分歧，双方最终未能签订协议。
  • Pinyin: Yóuyú yīxiē fēnqí, shuāngfāng zuìzhōng wèi néng qiāndìng xiéyì.
  • English: Due to some disagreements, the two parties ultimately failed to sign the agreement.
  • Analysis: An example of using `签订` in the negative (`未能` means “failed to”).
• Example 7:
  • 经过长达数月的谈判，他们准备下周签订最终合同。
  • Pinyin: Jīngguò cháng dá shù yuè de tánpàn, tāmen zhǔnbèi xiàzhōu qiāndìng zuìzhōng hétong.
  • English: After several months of negotiations, they are preparing to sign the final contract next week.
  • Analysis: This sentence places `签订` as the final step after a long process (`谈判` - negotiations).
• Example 8:
  • 合同一旦签订，就具有法律效力。
  • Pinyin: Hétong yīdàn qiāndìng, jiù jùyǒu fǎlǜ xiàolì.
  • English: Once the contract is signed, it becomes legally effective.
  • Analysis: This highlights the legal consequences of the action of `签订`. `一旦…就…` is a useful grammar structure meaning “once… then…”.
• Example 9:
  • 这份保密协议必须由法定代表人亲自签订。
  • Pinyin: Zhè fèn bǎomì xiéyì bìxū yóu fǎdìng dàibiǎorén qīnzì qiāndìng.
  • English: This non-disclosure agreement must be signed by the legal representative in person.
  • Analysis: Shows a specific requirement related to the act of signing, common in legal and business contexts.
• Example 10:
  • 恭喜你们！什么时候举行签订仪式？
  • Pinyin: Gōngxǐ nǐmen! Shénme shíhou jǔxíng qiāndìng yíshì?
  • English: Congratulations! When are you holding the signing ceremony?
  • Analysis: Here, `签订` is used as a modifier for `仪式` (ceremony), showing its cultural importance. This is a common phrase for major deals.

The most common mistake for English speakers is confusing `签订 (qiāndìng)` with `签名 (qiānmíng)`.

• 签订 (qiāndìng): To conclude a deal by signing. It's the whole process and its legal implication. It is a verb that requires a formal document (contract, treaty, agreement) as its object.
• 签名 (qiānmíng): To sign one's name. This is the simple physical action. It can be a verb (“Please sign here”) or a noun (“I need your signature”).

Think of it this way: You `签名` (sign your name) on a document in order to `签订` (formally conclude) a contract. Incorrect Usage: `请在这里签订。` (Qǐng zài zhèlǐ qiāndìng.) → Incorrect. This means “Please conclude the contract here.” It's awkward. You are asking someone to perform the physical act of signing. Correct Usage: `请在这里签名。` (Qǐng zài zhèlǐ qiānmíng.) → Correct. “Please sign here.” Correct Usage of `签订`: `我们明天签订合同。` (Wǒmen míngtiān qiāndìng hétong.) → Correct. “We will sign the contract tomorrow.” (Meaning: We will formally conclude the contract deal).

• 合同 (hétong) - Contract. The most common document that is `签订`-ed.
• 协议 (xiéyì) - Agreement. Often used for less comprehensive or slightly less formal accords than a `合同`.
• 条约 (tiáoyuē) - Treaty. The formal term for an agreement between nations.
• 签名 (qiānmíng) - To sign (one's name); signature. The physical act needed to `签订` something.
• 签字 (qiānzì) - To sign. A verb very similar to `签名`, often used interchangeably.
• 签署 (qiānshǔ) - To sign (formally). A close synonym of `签订`, often interchangeable in formal writing, but `签订` more strongly implies conclusion and finalization.
• 达成 (dáchéng) - To reach (an agreement). The step *before* `签订`. You first `达成协议` (reach an agreement), and then you `签订协议` (sign the agreement).
• 生效 (shēngxiào) - To take effect; to become legally valid. This is the result of a contract being `签订`-ed.
• 合作 (hézuò) - To cooperate; cooperation. `签订` is often the action that formalizes a `合作`.