起誓

qǐshì

verb #9,360

Meanings

To raise an oath - to formally swear.

HSK 1

我起誓说的都是真话。

Wǒ qǐshì shuō de dōu shì zhēnhuà.

I swear everything I said is the truth.

HSK 5

他对天起誓再也不喝酒了。

Tā duì tiān qǐshì zàiyě bù hējiǔ le.

He swore to the heavens he'd never drink again.

HSK 7-9

她起誓要为父亲报仇。

Tā qǐshì yào wèi fùqīn bàochóu.

She vowed to avenge her father.

usage

起誓 is more formal/literary than 发誓, which is the everyday word for 'to swear.' 起誓 often appears in historical/legal/religious contexts.

In everyday speech, people say 发誓 far more often. 起誓 sounds more solemn and is common in court scenes, novels, and period dramas.

起 qǐ

誓 shì