Usage note
约表示大约，也可表示约定见面。
yuē biǎo shì dà yuē， yě kě biǎo shì yuē dìng jiàn miàn。
约 means approximately, or to make an appointment.
Context note
约常用于时间、数字和安排。
yuē cháng yòng yú shí jiān 、 shù zì hé ān pái。
约 is often used with time, numbers, and arrangements.
5 examples
约十分钟后开始。
yuē shí fēn zhōng hòu kāi shǐ。
It will start in about ten minutes.
我们约在下午见面。
wǒ men yuē zài xià wǔ jiàn miàn。
We made an appointment to meet in the afternoon.
这条路约有五公里。
zhè tiáo lù yuē yǒu wǔ gōng lǐ。
This road is about five kilometers.
请和老师约一下时间。
qǐng hé lǎo shī yuē yí xià shí jiān。
Please arrange a time with the teacher.
他约了朋友。
tā yuē le péng yǒu。
He made an appointment with a friend.
5 mini stories
我们约好明天一起去。
wǒ men yuē hǎo míng tiān yì qǐ qù。
We agreed to go together tomorrow.
约在图书馆门口见。
yuē zài tú shū guǎn mén kǒu jiàn。
We arranged to meet at the library gate.
这次活动约有二十人参加。
zhè cì huó dòng yuē yǒu èr shí rén shēn jiā。
About twenty people will join this activity.
他约了医生看病。
tā yuē le yī shēng kàn bìng。
He made an appointment with the doctor.
约在周末完成最合适。
yuē zài zhōu mò wán chéng zuì hé shì。
It is best to finish it around the weekend.
Mini dialogue
约时间
A
我们约明天下午三点见面，好吗？
Wǒmen yuē míngtiān xiàwǔ sān diǎn jiànmiàn, hǎo ma?
Let's make an appointment to meet tomorrow at 3 PM, okay?
B
好的，约在那里见？
Hǎo de, yuē zài nàlǐ jiàn?
Okay, where shall we meet?
大约多久
A
从家到学校约要十分钟。
Cóng jiā dào xuéxiào yuē yào shí fēnzhōng.
It takes about ten minutes from home to school.
B
那我们约七点五十出发。
Nà wǒmen yuē qī diǎn wǔshí chūfā.
Then let's plan to leave at about seven fifty.
Related words and contrasts
similar
预约
yùyuē
to reserve
预约 is more formal, like booking a ticket
related
大约
dàyuē
approximately
约 can mean 'about'; 大约 is a common adverb