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.
He bound the luggage with rope.
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.
She tied the ribbon.
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.
She tied her hair back.
To tie in a bundle; to bind together. More specific to bundling items like papers, sticks, or flowers.
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.
I'm bound by the contract and can't act freely.
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.
The standard 'must/have to' construction. It expresses a strong obligation, though it is less formal than 義務がある.
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).
We are bound by strong ties.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
We are bound by law to obey.
Family bonds are important.
They bonded over a long period of time.
ゼラチンでムースを固める。
Bind the mousse with gelatin.
This adhesive binds metal and plastic strongly.