絆

• Reading: きずな
• Romaji: kizuna
• Kanji breakdown: 絆 (bond/ties, originally a tether for horses) → emotional bonds between people
• Pronunciation: /ki.zu.na/

Meaning

A deep bond between people — emotional ties that connect individuals through shared experiences, especially hardship.

While 絆 simply means 'bond' or 'ties,' it took on profound significance after the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, when it was selected as the Kanji of the Year. It came to symbolise the solidarity and mutual support that emerged from the disaster. Since then, 絆 has been used in everything from heartfelt tributes to community resilience to casual descriptions of deep friendships. It carries emotional weight that the English word 'bond' does not fully capture.

Examples

1. 震災を通じて地域の絆が深まったと感じる。 I feel like the community bonds grew stronger through the earthquake.
2. 家族の絆って離れてみて初めて分かるよね。 You don't really understand family bonds until you've been apart, right?
3. チームメイトとの絆は一生ものだと思う。 I think the bond with my teammates is something that'll last a lifetime.

Usage Guide

Context: relationships, community, social media, sports

Tone: emotional, sincere

Do Say

• 仲間との絆を大切にしたい (I want to cherish the bonds with my companions)
• この絆は永遠だよ (This bond is forever)

Don't Say

• 軽い関係に「絆」を使うと大げさに聞こえる (Using 絆 for casual acquaintances sounds too dramatic)

Common Mistakes

• Using 絆 too casually — it implies deep emotional connection, not surface-level friendships
• Not knowing its post-2011 significance and the extra emotional weight it carries in disaster-related contexts

Origin & History

The kanji 絆 originally referred to a rope used to tie up horses. It evolved to mean the invisible ties binding people together. It was chosen as 2011's Kanji of the Year (今年の漢字) following the Great East Japan Earthquake, becoming a national symbol of solidarity.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient word, national symbol after 2011 earthquake

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Regional notes: Used across all of Japan. Carries special emotional resonance in disaster recovery contexts. 2011 Kanji of the Year.