繋つなぎ止とめる

つ

な

ぎ

と

め

る

Meanings

1

ichidan verb, transitive verb

tie; fasten; hitch

Physical sense: tie or fasten something so it doesn't come loose or drift away. Often used for securing boats, animals, or objects with rope.

ボートを岸きしに繋つなぎ止とめる。
I tie the boat to the shore.
犬いぬが逃にげないように木きに繋つなぎ止

と

め

た

。

I tied the dog to a tree so it wouldn't run away.

2

ichidan verb, transitive verb

secure; retain; keep

Abstract sense: keep someone or something from leaving, losing interest, or ending. Used for customers, employees, relationships, attention, or even life.

常じょう連れん客きゃくを繋つなぎ止とめるためにサービスを改かい善ぜんした。
We improved our service to retain regular customers.
彼かれの一ひと言ことが私わたしの命いのちを繋つなぎ止とめた。
His words saved my life (kept me holding on).

Written forms

繋つなぎ止とめるUsage7%
Standard kanji spelling.
つなぎとめるUsage56%
つなぎ止とめるUsage27%
search-only kanji form
Search-only form; not a standard written variant.
繋つなぎとめるUsage6%
search-only kanji form
Search-only form; not a standard written variant.
つなぎ留とめるUsage4%
search-only kanji form
Search-only form; not a standard written variant.
繋つなぎ留とめる
Variant using 留める; less common but acceptable.

Kanji

繋tie, fasten, chain
止stop, halt
留detain, fasten, halt

Similar words

繋つなぐ
繋ぐ is a general verb for connecting or linking things, while 繋ぎ止める emphasizes preventing something from coming loose or leaving.
留とめる
留める means to fasten or stop something in place, but 繋ぎ止める adds the nuance of tying or securing to prevent loss.

Etymology

Compound of 繋ぎ (continuative form of 繋ぐ, 'to connect') + 止める ('to stop, fasten'). The combination yields the meaning 'to tie and stop from moving/leaving'.