Translation guide
The English verb "bind" has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common ones for learners: physically tying things together, being legally or morally obligated, forming a close emotional connection, and causing something to stick or cohere. It also touches on bookbinding and a few niche uses.
To physically secure something by tying it, often with rope, string, or similar material.
The most common and general verb for tying or binding something, especially with rope or cord. It can be used for tying objects together or tying a person up.
彼は荷物をロープで縛った。
He bound the luggage with rope.
犯人は被害者を椅子に縛り付けた。
The criminal bound the victim to a chair.
Means to tie, knot, or connect. Often used for tying strings, ribbons, or making knots. It can also mean to form a connection or relationship.
彼女はリボンを結んだ。
She tied the ribbon.
靴ひもを結んでください。
Please tie your shoelaces.
To bundle or tie up, often used for tying things together in a bunch, like hair or a bundle of sticks.
彼女は髪を後ろでくくった。
She tied her hair back.
To tie in a bundle; to bind together. More specific to bundling items like papers, sticks, or flowers.
新聞紙を束ねて捨てた。
I bundled up the newspapers and threw them away.
To impose a legal or moral duty on someone; to be bound by a contract, promise, or rule.
Literally 'to be bound by ~'. This is the most direct and common way to express being constrained by rules, contracts, or obligations. It carries a nuance of restriction.
契約に縛られて自由に動けない。
I'm bound by the contract and can't act freely.
彼は規則に縛られるのが嫌いだ。
He hates being bound by rules.
Means 'to have an obligation to do ~'. This is a more formal and explicit way to state a duty, often used in legal or official contexts.
我々は法律を守る義務がある。
We are bound by law to obey.
The standard 'must/have to' construction. It expresses a strong obligation, though it is less formal than 義務がある.
約束を守らなければならない。
I am bound to keep my promise.
To develop a strong relationship or emotional tie with someone, often through shared experiences.
A noun meaning 'bond' or 'ties' between people. Often used for deep emotional connections, like family bonds or friendships. Use with verbs like 深める (fukameru, to deepen) or 築く (kizuku, to build).
私たちは強い絆で結ばれている。
We are bound by strong ties.
共通の経験が彼らの絆を深めた。
Their shared experience deepened their bond.
A noun meaning 'connection' or 'link'. It can refer to emotional bonds but is slightly more general than 絆, also used for logical or physical connections.
An idiomatic phrase meaning 'to communicate heart-to-heart' or 'to be emotionally in tune'. It describes the process of forming a deep bond.
彼らは長い時間をかけて心を通わせた。
They bonded over a long period of time.
To make substances or materials stick together, or to hold ingredients together in cooking.
Means 'to connect' or 'to link'. In cooking, it specifically means to bind ingredients together, often using egg or starch.
卵がハンバーグの材料をつなぐ。
Egg binds the hamburger ingredients together.
Means 'to harden' or 'to solidify'. It can be used when a binding agent causes a mixture to set or become firm.
A technical term meaning 'to adhere' or 'to bond', used for glues and adhesives.
この接着剤は金属とプラスチックを強力に接着する。
This adhesive binds metal and plastic strongly.
To fasten the pages of a book together and put a cover on it.
The standard verb for bookbinding. It covers the whole process of assembling a book.
この本は革で製本されている。
This book is bound in leather.
To cause constipation. Usually used in the passive form 'be bound' (constipated).
縛る (shibaru) is for binding tightly with rope, often implying restraint. 結ぶ (musubu) is for tying knots or ribbons, and also for forming connections. くくる (kukuru) is for bundling things together, like hair or sticks.
While 縛られる (shibarareru) is common, directly translating 'I am bound to...' as 私は...に縛られる can sound overly dramatic in casual speech. Use 〜しなければならない or 〜する義務がある for neutral statements of duty.
家族の結びつきは大切だ。
Family bonds are important.
ゼラチンでムースを固める。
Bind the mousse with gelatin.