Definitions

(verb) to bind; to tie

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. Simplified form of .

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "缚", derived from its traditional form "縛", structurally combines the silk radical indicating threads or cords with the phonetic component "尃", originally conveying the act of tying with physical materials like ropes. Over time, its meaning expanded beyond literal binding to encompass various forms of restraint, including abstract constraints or obligations, while maintaining its core semantic association with restriction. The simplified form retains this fundamental concept, reflecting a continuity in its etymological foundation despite graphical alterations.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他用绳子住箱子。

Tā yòng shéngzi fù zhù xiāngzi.

He used a rope to tie up the box.

她被束在旧观念里。

Tā bèi shùfù zài jiù guānniàn lǐ.

She is bound by old ideas.

法律不应该束人的自由。

Fǎlǜ bù yīnggāi shùfù rén de zìyóu.

Laws should not restrict people's freedom.

这些传统习俗住了我们的手脚。

Zhèxiē chuántǒng xísú fù zhùle wǒmen de shǒujiǎo.

These traditional customs have tied our hands and feet.

经济困难住了他创业的梦想。

Jīngjì kùnnan fù zhùle tā chuàngyè de mèngxiǎng.

Economic difficulties have bound his dream of starting a business.

过去的错误决定像枷锁一样着他。

Guòqù de cuòwù juédìng xiàng jiāsuǒ yīyàng fù zhe tā.

Past wrong decisions bind him like shackles.

他们试图用合同住对方的行动自由。

Tāmen shìtú yòng hétong fù zhù duìfāng de xíngdòng zìyóu.

They tried to use a contract to bind the other party's freedom of action.

内心的恐惧往往比外界的束更难挣脱。

Nèixīn de kǒngjù wǎngwǎng bǐ wàijiè de shùfù gèng nán zhèngtuō.

Inner fears are often harder to break free from than external restraints.