Contracts - Expression and Pre-drafted Contractual Terms

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More Civil Code:

Interpretation of Expression and Pre-drafted Contractual Terms

Article

第 98 條

解釋意思表示，應探求當事人之真意，不得拘泥於所用之辭句。

Article 98   

In the interpretation of an expression of intent, the real intention of the parties must be sought rather than the literal meaning of the words.

Vocabulary

解釋  [jiěshì]  /explanation/to explain/to interpret/to resolve/

意思表示  [yìsībiǎoshì]  /expressed intention/declaration of will/

應  [yìng]  /shall/

探求  [tànqiú]  /to explore/to search out/to investigate/to persue/

當事人  [dāngshìrén]  /persons involved or implicated/party (to an affair)/

之  [zhī]  /(literary equivalent of 的)/

真意  [zhēnyì]  /real intention/true intention/

不得  [bùdé]  /must not/may not/not be allowed/cannot/

拘泥  [jūní]  /rigidly adhere/

於  [yú]  /at/

所  [suǒ]  /(relative pronoun)/(particle introducing a relative clause)/

用  [yòng]  /to use/

辭句  [cíjù]  /expression/wording/

Study

A contract may be express or implied. In an express contract, the existence and terms of the contract are stated in words or the writings of the parties. In an implied contract, the real intent is inferred from the conduct of the parties, and this is what is sought in contracts in Taiwan.

解釋is used to define a term.  Other similar methods of defining a term in a contract or article are:

所謂 – so-called

所稱 － referred to

稱 - 叫、叫做。如：「稱呼」、「稱兄道弟」。

稱…..者 - 稱月或年者….The month or the year specified in this code….