Translation guide
The English word 'handcuffs' refers to metal restraints used by police. In Japanese, the most common word is 手錠 (tejou). This guide covers how to talk about handcuffs, being handcuffed, and related expressions.
Referring to the metal restraints themselves.
Standard word for handcuffs. Used in police, legal, and everyday contexts.
警察官が手錠をかけた。
The police officer put handcuffs on (someone).
容疑者は手錠をかけられた。
The suspect was handcuffed.
Literary or historical term for handcuffs or manacles. Not used in modern police contexts.
囚人は手枷をはめられていた。
The prisoner was fitted with manacles.
Describing the act of putting handcuffs on a person.
The most common way to say 'to handcuff someone'. Literally 'to apply handcuffs'.
警官は彼に手錠をかけた。
The officer handcuffed him.
Also means 'to handcuff', but slightly less common than 手錠をかける. Can imply the state of being handcuffed.
彼は手錠をされている。
He is handcuffed.
Expressing that someone is in handcuffs or has been handcuffed.
Passive form, meaning 'to be handcuffed'. Very natural.
犯人は手錠をかけられた。
The criminal was handcuffed.
Describes the state of being handcuffed. Literally 'handcuffs have been applied'.
彼は手錠がかけられている。
He is in handcuffs.
Using 'handcuffs' metaphorically to mean something that limits freedom.
Means 'restraint' or 'shackles' in a figurative sense. Often used for emotional or social restrictions.
彼は会社の規則に束縛されている。
He is shackled by the company rules.
Literally 'to be fitted with handcuffs', but can be used metaphorically in some contexts. Less common than 束縛.
その契約は彼に手錠をはめるようなものだ。
That contract is like putting handcuffs on him.
The English loanword ハンドカフス (handokafusu) is not commonly used in Japanese. Stick with 手錠 (tejou).
In news reports, you'll often hear 手錠をかける or 手錠をかけられる. The verb 逮捕する (taiho suru, 'to arrest') is also common, but it doesn't specifically mean handcuffing.