Common Meanings
1
yuē约
To tie or bind with a rope; to restrict using a cord.
他将行李用绳子约好。
He tied the luggage well with a rope.
To restrict, constrain, or limit; also, to establish by common practice or convention.
很多社会行为都是约定俗成。
Many social behaviors are established by custom and convention.
an agreement, contract, or treaty that parties have agreed to abide by
我们已经签署了这份租赁契约。
We have already signed this lease contract.
To arrange or agree upon something in advance; to make an appointment or date.
我们约好明天下午在咖啡馆见面。
We agreed to meet at the coffee shop tomorrow afternoon.
to invite; to arrange to meet; to make an appointment
我约了几个朋友周末一起吃饭
I invited a few friends to have dinner together this weekend.
To be frugal; to save; economical.
我们应该节约用水用电，减少浪费。
We should conserve water and electricity, reducing waste.
Brief, simple; concise. Refers to simplifying from broad knowledge or a simple agreement.
他的设计风格总是简约而不简单。
His design style is always simple yet not simplistic.
approximately; roughly; about
我们约莫等了十分钟，他才出现
We waited for approximately ten minutes before he appeared.
In mathematics, to simplify a fraction by dividing both the numerator and the denominator by a common factor.
这道题需要你把分数约到最简形式。
This problem requires you to simplify the fraction to its simplest form.
2
yāo约
To weigh with a scale, often implying a quick or approximate measurement.
麻烦您把这些水果约一下重量。
Could you please weigh these fruits for me?