つなぐ

つ

な

ぐ

Common wordJLPTN3Freq.FrequencyTop 5,000

Meanings

1

godan verb (-gu), transitive verb

connect; link together

usually written using kana alone

General physical or abstract connection: joining things, linking ideas, or connecting devices.

パソコンをインターネットにつなぐ。
I connect the computer to the internet.
二ふたつの町まちを橋はしでつなぐ計けい画かく

が

ある

。

There is a plan to link the two towns with a bridge.

2

godan verb (-gu), transitive verb

tie; fasten; restrain

usually written using kana alone

Tying or fastening with rope, chain, etc.; also used for restraining animals or people.

犬いぬを鎖くさりでつなぐ。
I tie the dog with a chain.
犯はん人にんの手てをロープでつなぐ。
They restrain the criminal's hands with a rope.

3

godan verb (-gu), transitive verb

maintain; preserve; keep

usually written using kana alone

Used for maintaining relationships, traditions, or intangible connections over time.

友ゆう情じょうをつなぐために、よく連れん絡らくを取とり合あっている。
We keep in touch often to maintain our friendship.
この祭まつりは地ち域いきの伝でん統とうをつなぐ役やく割わりを果はたしている。
This festival plays a role in preserving local traditions.

4

godan verb (-gu), transitive verb

transfer (phone call); put through

usually written using kana alone

Telephone context: connecting a caller to another line or extension.

担たん当とう者しゃにおつなぎします。
I'll put you through to the person in charge.
外がい線せんにつなぐには、まず0を押おしてください。
To connect to an outside line, first press 0.

5

godan verb (-gu), transitive verb

hedge; buy or sell forward

usually written using kana alone

Financial term: hedging risk or entering forward contracts.

為替かわせリスクをつなぐために先さき物もの取とり引ひきを利り用ようする。
They use futures trading to hedge currency risk.

6

godan verb (-gu), transitive verb

connect (stones)

usually written using kana alonego (game)

Go terminology: connecting stones to form a secure group.

Written forms

つなぐUsage79%
Usually written in kana; the kanji form 繋ぐ is also common but kana is preferred in many contexts.
繋つなぐUsage15%
Standard kanji form; widely used alongside kana.
繫つなぐUsage7%
search-only kanji form
Search-only kanji form; not commonly used in modern writing.

Kanji

繋tie, fasten, chain
繫attach, connect, unite

Similar words

結むすぶ
結ぶ emphasizes tying or binding into a knot or formal connection (e.g., a contract), while つなぐ is broader for linking or connecting things in a line or chain.
接せつ続ぞくする
接続する is more technical and often used for hardware or network connections, whereas つなぐ is more general and colloquial.

Etymology

Native Japanese verb. The kanji 繋 carries the meaning of 'connect' or 'link', but the word is often written in kana. The historical derivation is uncertain.