結束

けっそく

union, unity

JLPT N1

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"結束" (けっそく) primarily means "union" or "unity" in a social or emotional sense, such as the strong bond within a team or group. It expresses the idea of people coming together with a shared purpose or feeling.

Literal and Physical Use

Besides the abstract meaning, "結束" can also refer to physically binding or tying things together, often using a "結束バンド" (cable tie). This is a common usage in everyday contexts involving organizing or securing items.

Common Collocations

  • 結束が強い: strong unity or bond, often used to describe teams or groups.
  • 結束する: to unite or come together for a cause.
  • 結束バンド: cable tie, a physical object used to bind things.

Register and Nuance

The word "結束" is formal and often used in written or formal spoken Japanese, especially when discussing teamwork, solidarity, or physical binding. It is less casual than words like "団結" but shares similar meanings.

Learner Tips

Be careful not to confuse "結束" with "結婚" (marriage) or "結末" (ending). Also, remember that "結束" can be both abstract (unity) and concrete (binding), so context is key to understanding its meaning.

Example Sentences

ちーむのけっそくがつよければ、どんなこんなんものりこえられる。

If the team's unity is strong, they can overcome any difficulty.

かれらはきょうつうのもくひょうのためにけっそくした。

They united for a common goal.

けっそくばんどでけーぶるをまとめる。

I bundle the cables with a cable tie.