制约

• Pinyin: zhì yuē
• Hanzi breakdown: 制 = to control/make; 约 = 糹(silk) + 勺, meaning to bind/restrict

Meaning

To restrict; to constrain; to limit. To impose limitations that affect development or action.

Used in formal discussions about factors that limit progress. Common phrases: 相互制约 (mutual constraint), 制约因素 (limiting factors), 受到制约 (be constrained by). More formal than 限制.

Examples

1. 资金不足是制约公司发展的主要因素。 Insufficient funding is the main factor constraining the company's development.
2. 各种因素相互制约，形成了复杂的局面。 Various factors mutually constrain each other, creating a complex situation.
3. 这项技术受到材料成本的制约。 This technology is constrained by material costs.

Usage Guide

Context: academic, policy, analysis

Tone: analytical

Do Say

• 什么因素制约了发展？(What factors are constraining development?)
• 要突破制约瓶颈。(We need to break through the constraining bottleneck.)

Don't Say

• 制约我的时间 (For personal time limits, use 限制 — 制约 is for systemic constraints)

Origin & History

Compound of 制 (to control, regulate) and 约 (to bind, agreement). To control and bind.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal