束縛

そくばく

restraint, restriction, confinement

JLPT N1

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"束縛" (そくばく) primarily means restraint, restriction, or confinement. It is often used to describe situations where someone's freedom or actions are limited by external forces, such as rules, contracts, or relationships.

Common Contexts

This word frequently appears in discussions about personal freedom, relationships, and legal or contractual obligations. For example, it can describe how parents might restrict their children, or how a contract limits what a person can do.

Collocations and Patterns

  • "自由を束縛する": to restrict freedom; used when talking about limiting someone's liberty.
  • "過度な束縛": excessive restriction; often used to criticize overly controlling behavior.
  • "契約の束縛": contractual restrictions; common in legal or business contexts.

Register and Nuance

"束縛" is a formal word often found in written language, news, or serious conversations. It carries a somewhat negative nuance, implying an unwanted limitation or control.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse "束縛" with simple "制限" (restriction) or "抑制" (suppression). "束縛" specifically emphasizes binding or tying down, often emotionally or physically, rather than just limiting.

Understanding this nuance helps use the word appropriately in contexts involving personal or legal constraints.

Example Sentences

かれはじゆうをそくばくされることをきらう。

He hates being restrained or confined.

おやのかどなそくばくはこどものせいちょうをさまたげることがある。

Excessive restrictions by parents can sometimes hinder a child's growth.

このけいやくにはきびしいそくばくじょうこうがふくまれている。

This contract includes strict restrictive clauses.