摘要： 合同解释的第一步、也是最重要的工作之一,是寻觅、确定合同词句的含义。对合同词句的含义,应以理性人处于该合同的环境中对该词句的理解为确定标准。法律、法规、规章、司法解释赋予某词句的含义,大多是该词句的通常含义。确定系争合同词句的通常含义不应拘泥于文字,且其可能受词句所处合同关系的复杂程度的影响。当事人之间对合同条款有不同于词句的通常含义的其他共同理解的,只要此种所赋含义不存在法定的无效原因,又不构成法律上的错误的,就应当将该种其他共同理解确定为系争合同词句的含义。当事人之间对某合同词句的理解不同于法律、法规、规章、司法解释就该词句界定的含义时,只要法律、法规、规章、司法解释的界定不属于强制性规定,就应当尊重当事人各方的合意。在有些情况下,当事人各方赋予某合同词句具有不同于通常含义之意的,在某些方面不被法律所认可,不具有法律效力;而在另外一些方面可依其意赋予法律效力。

关键词: 合同词句, 通常含义, 其他共同理解, 法定含义

Abstract: The first and most important step in interpreting a contract is to search for and determine the meaning of the words and phrases in the contract.The meaning of contract words and phrases should be determined based on the rational person's understanding of the words and phrases in the context of the contract.The meaning assigned to a certain phrase by laws, regulations, rules, and judicial interpretations is mostly the usual meaning of the words and phrases.The usual meaning of disputed contract terms should not be limited to words, and it may be influenced by the complexity of the contractual relationship in which the terms are used.If there are other common understandings between the parties regarding the contract terms that differ from the usual meanings of words and phrases, as long as there is no statutory invalidity reason for such assigned meanings nor do they constitute a legal error, such other common understandings should be consistently determined as the meaning of the disputed contract words and phrases.When the understanding of a contract term between the parties differs from the definition of the term in laws, regulations, rules, or judicial interpretations, as long as the definition of the term in laws, regulations, rules, or judicial interpretations is not mandatory, the agreement of all parties should be respected.In some cases, if the parties to a contract assign a word or phrase with a meaning different from its usual meaning, it is not recognized by law in certain aspects and does not have legal effect.And in other aspects, legal effect can be granted according to its intention.

Key words: Contract Words and Phrases, Usual Meaning, Other Common Understandings, Legal Meaning