Meaning and Usage
"結合" (けつごう) primarily means "combination" or "union," referring to the act or state of joining two or more elements together. It is often used in scientific, business, and technical contexts.
Common Contexts
You will frequently encounter "結合" in chemistry or biology when describing molecular bonds or DNA structure. In business, it describes mergers or alliances between companies. It can also be used more abstractly to describe the joining of ideas or concepts.
Collocations and Patterns
- 結合する: to combine or unite (verb form)
- 結合部: junction or joint part
- 結合力: bonding force or strength
- ～の結合: the combination of ～
Register and Nuance
"結合" is a formal and technical term, suitable for academic, scientific, or business language. It is less common in casual conversation, where simpler words like "つなぐ" (to connect) or "合わせる" (to match) might be used.
Common Learner Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse "結合" with "結婚" (marriage). Remember that "結合" refers to joining things or elements, not people in a marital relationship.
Using "結合" correctly will help you sound precise and professional in technical discussions or formal writing.