Translation guide
The English word 'restraints' can refer to physical devices that limit movement, or to abstract limits on behavior or freedom. This guide covers both meanings and shows how to express them naturally in Japanese.
The patient was secured to the bed with restraints.
Specifically handcuffs. Common in police contexts.
The police officer put handcuffs on the suspect.
Restraint belts or straps, often used in medical or psychiatric settings.
The nurse used restraint belts to ensure the patient's safety.
Literally 'things for tying up'. A very general, non-technical way to refer to restraints. Can sound vague.
He looked for something to use as restraints.
Rules, laws, social norms, or conditions that restrict what people can do or say.
A broad term for constraints or restrictions, often used in formal or abstract contexts (legal, social, economic).
The plan was canceled due to budget restraints.
Implies being bound or tied down, often with a negative nuance of oppression or lack of freedom. Used for social rules, relationships, or psychological restraints.
Limits or restrictions, often concrete and measurable (time, amount, rules). More neutral than 束縛.
Restraint in the sense of self-control or suppression of impulses. Often used in psychology or economics (e.g., impulse control, cost containment).
制約 is a formal, abstract constraint (e.g., legal, financial). 束縛 has a strong negative nuance of being tied down or oppressed (e.g., social norms, relationships). 制限 is a neutral, often concrete limit (e.g., time limit, speed limit). Choose based on the nuance you want to convey.
拘束 (こうそく) primarily means physical restraint or detention. Using it for abstract limits (like 'restraints on spending') would sound unnatural. Use 制約 or 制限 instead.
表現の自由には法的な制約がある。
There are legal restraints on freedom of expression.
彼は伝統の束縛から逃れたいと思った。
He wanted to escape the restraints of tradition.
新しい法律は政府の権力に制限を加えた。
The new law placed restraints on government power.
彼は怒りを抑制できなかった。
He couldn't exercise restraint over his anger.