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道Nihongo Path
縛

縛·bind, tie up, restrain

On-yomi
バク
Kun-yomi
しば(る)

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.

16 strokes, numbered in writing order. Data: KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0).

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
束縛そくばくrestraint, restriction
縛るしばるto tie up, to bind
捕縛ほばくarrest, capture
金縛りかなしばりsleep paralysis, being frozen stiff

Example sentences

  1. 古い新聞を紐で縛った。

    ふるいしんぶんをひもでしばった。

    I tied the old newspapers up with string.

  2. 細かい規則に束縛されたくない。

    こまかいきそくにそくばくされたくない。

    I don't want to be bound by petty rules.

  3. 夜中に金縛りにあって動けなかった。

    よなかにかなしばりにあってうごけなかった。

    I had sleep paralysis in the night and couldn't move.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Reading 束縛 as そくしば — it is そくばく
  • Using 縛る for tying a knot in a necktie — that is 締める; 縛る is binding something so it cannot move

Memory aid

Picture it

Thread 糸 wrapped around 尃 (to spread out): rope run all the way around a bundle so nothing can spread — tied up.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 縛 mean?