About
The character 拘 is a phono-semantic compound. Its left component, the hand radical 扌, indicates a physical action involving manual force. The right component, 句 (meaning “sentence”), serves solely as the phonetic element. The core meaning involves physically restraining or detaining someone, such as in an arrest. This sense of restriction extends metaphorically to describe inflexibility or an overly rigid adherence to rules and formalities.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
不要拘束自己。
他被警察拘留了。
她拘谨地笑了笑。
别拘泥于旧观念。
他的拘捕令已经签发。
在正式场合，他显得很拘束。
法律对拘留时间有严格规定。
由于证据不足，警方无法拘捕嫌疑人。