結び付ける

• Reading: むすびつける
• Romaji: musubitsukeru
• Kanji breakdown: 結 (ketsu/musu) — to tie, connect; 付 (fu/tsu) — to attach, affix
• Pronunciation: /mɯ.sɯ.bi.tsɯ.ke.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To tie together; to connect; to link; to associate two things. Used both literally and figuratively.

A Group 2 (ichidan) verb. Literally means to fasten or bind things together. Figuratively it expresses causal, logical, or conceptual connections. Common in academic, journalistic, and analytical writing. Often appears in passive constructions (〜に結び付けられる, to be linked to).

Examples

1. 研究チームは遺伝子の変異をその病気に結び付けた。 The research team linked the genetic mutation to the disease.
2. 子ども時代の記憶が彼をその土地に深く結び付けている。 Childhood memories deeply tie him to that land.
3. 二つの事件を結び付ける証拠がまだ見つかっていない。 Evidence connecting the two incidents has yet to be found.

Usage Guide

Context: research, analysis, relationships, logic

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 結び (tying, a knot) and 付ける (to attach, to affix). The image is of physically knotting two things together, extended metaphorically to forming connections between ideas or people.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal