qiānshǔ: 签署 - To Sign (formally), To Ratify

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.

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.

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.

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.

“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).

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.”

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.